Grant Ralston Obituary

Grant B. Ralston, 51, of Colorado Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 18, 2006. Grant, a beloved husband and devoted father, retired from the United States Air Force on December 31, 2000 as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 22 years of dedicated service and was most recently employed as a Senior Military Analyst with SY Coleman, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, supporting the Missile Defense Agency's Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element Joint Program Office here in Colorado Springs. Grant was born to James Ralston, a career soldier then serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces, and Betty (Grimes) Ralston at Fort Bragg, NC on December 15, 1954. In March 1978, Grant Ralston and Doris (Dodie) Frander entered into the covenant of marriage in Fayetteville, NC. A short 10 years ago, they were blessed by a son, Robert. Commissioned from the Air Force ROTC program at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC in 1977, Mr. Ralston's dedicated service to his country began in 1978 as a crew commander in the Titan ICBM weapon system at McConnell AFB, KS. Grant also served as Chief of Tactical Operations, 12th Missile Warning Squadron, Thule AB, Greenland. In the span of his outstanding career in the Space and Missile Operations field, he served at several different times and in numerous capacities at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. He performed duties in both the Missile Warning and Command Centers, with the systems test and evaluation group, concluding with his final tour as Deputy Command Director for Missile Operations and Director of Command Control Systems/J6. He also served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon's National Military Command Center and as a staff officer in the Operation Directorate, J3. Grant culminated a superb military career as a Lieutenant Colonel in December 2000 while assigned to Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command/J3. After a distinguished military career, Mr. Ralston continued service to his country and the Defense Department as a contractor supporting initial fielding of the nation's missile defense system. Grant loved woodworking, making many of the beautiful furniture pieces in his home, reading history, collecting and tinkering with vintage radios and model trains, and was interested in astronomy and photography. He was very active in numerous community, church and school events, but most especially through his support to the Cub Scouting program, serving as the Den Leader of Den 7, Pack 21, of which his son, Robert, is a member. He was also a lifetime member of the Air Force Association and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Mr. Ralston is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Doris; a wonderful son, Robert; and by his parents James and Betty and a sister Mavis Pritchett, all of whom reside in Fayetteville, NC. A Prayer Vigil will be held on Wednesday, August 23 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service on Thursday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m., both at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2318 N. Cascade Ave in Colorado Springs. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Funeral arrangements are being provided by the Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 North Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs. In honor of Grant B. Ralston, contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to either the Cub Scouts' Pack 21, Den 7 or the Corpus Christi School through the Corpus Christi Catholic Church.