Ralph Elmer Glidewell

Ralph Elmer Glidewell, 93 years young, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 16th, 2025 in Salem, Oregon. He was born in Oklahoma City on September 20th, 1931, and later moved with his family to Aumsville, Oregon in 1944.

After Ralph graduated from Turner High School, he enlisted and served in the US Navy during the Korean War to be honourably discharged in 1955 with medals of service.

A proud farmer all of his life, Ralph set up his own farm when he married Carroll Ann Pitts on Christmas Eve 1952. They welcomed their first child Daniel Shane Glidewell on May 9th, 1955, followed by Scott Allen Glidewell on October 5th, 1958, and daughter Cori Dayle (Kendall) Glidewell on December 25th, 1959. Sadly, Carroll passed away in December 1988, and Ralph remarried Patricia (Pat) Jean Corral, who recently passed away in May 2024.

Ralph leaves behind a legacy of generosity and service to others. He was a prolific blood donor starting in 1959, after nearly losing Carroll to hemorrhaging during childbirth. Ralph made donations every six weeks without fail to the American Red Cross. He believed in helping those in need or those less fortunate, including animals, and this continued throughout his life.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Elmer Dexter Glidewell and Mabel Lee Holman Glidewell, brother Lee Dexter Glidewell, sister Wilma Ruth Shelton, first wife Carroll Ann Pitts, and second wife Patricia Jean Corral.

Ralph is survived by his sister Carlene Nollen, his sons Dan and Scott Glidewell, daughter Cori Kendall, stepchildren James and Gary Corral, twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The extended Glidewell-Corral family will greatly miss our kind, caring, patient, and often mischievous dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. He may have been small in stature, but was larger than life, and he will live on in the memory and hearts of those who had the great fortune to know him.

A Memorial Service and burial service will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Weddle Funeral Service, 1777 N. 3rd Avenue, Stayton, Oregon. A celebration of life reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made as a donation to the American Red Cross in Salem, Oregon.