Ralph Michael Lopez

The morning of December 23, 2023, Ralph Michael Lopez embraced Sister Death at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 63 years old.

Ralph was born on July 15, 1960, as the first child to +Richard and +Carlotta Lopez at Fort George G. Meade, U.S. Army base in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Being a son of a naval man, Ralph saw near and far parts of the world. Moving every one to three years made sinking roots challenging. Therefore, Ralph developed hobbies to sharpen his physical and psychological prowess. He started in Scouting while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, attending the first Jamboree between the United States and Japan. Scouting fed Ralph’s love for the outdoors. Later, he would enjoy many camping and hunting trips with his father and uncles in the majestic mountains of New Mexico.

In adolescence, he turned to competitive activities to further perfect his talents. He played football, earning his love for jersey number 63. He raced amateur Motocross – off-road motorcycle racing – winning several awards. But his passion was in martial arts. Over the course of four-plus decades, Ralph trained in Karate, Hapkido, and Jiu-Jitsu, earning his Taekwondo fourth-degree black belt in 2000s. He was an avid cyclist and shooter – pistol and long-range rifle. Recently, Ralph was awarded first place inthe 2023 Ohio State Long Range Championship. With all his accolades, his love for family could not be outmatched.

The oldest of three boys – Raymond Andrew and Roger Anthony. When the three gathered, laughter and fraternal ribbing would ensue. When Ralph moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for work, he met a beautiful and spirited woman – Ellen Jane Menard. They married at St. William Catholic Church on May 26, 1990. Two years later, Ellen and Ralph had a daughter – Jacqueline Elizabeth Lopez. The two girls were Ralph’s world. They would stay home, watching superhero movies – much to the ladies’ consternation – quietly sharing the beauty of their company. Family and love were two interchangeable synonyms for Ralph. 

Ralph was a gentle, loyal, and generous man. His family was a blessing, and he thanked Jesus Christ for them daily. Being the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family, he was like a wise, old owl. Ralph would step back and survey the landscape of complex situations. Then with a peaceful touch, he would render sage-filled advice. That coupled with his smile made him memorable. 

On November 22, 2023, Ralph was diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Planning on starting chemotherapy in mid-December, health complications kept pushing the start date back. The last two weeks before his death, Ralph suffered much physical pain. Now, may he rest in Christ’s peace and rise in His glory.

Visitation will be at 10 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2024 

at Saint Clement Catholic Church, 4536 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217, 

followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon.

The family asks in lieu of flowers to send a donation to John Hopkins University to support Pancreatic Cancer research at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/pancreat?populatedesignation1=Pancreatic%20Cancer%20Research%20Fund