Ralph Lingerfelt, 89, passed away on April 14, 2018, at the Friendship Village Health Center in Tempe, Ariz.
Mr. Lingerfelt was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., on April 14, 1929. Raised in the “hills” of Tennessee, he moved to Tempe upon receiving a Band Scholarship to A.S.U. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning, he married Carla Smith in May 1955 and never looked back.
As a long-time resident of Tempe, he was McKemy Middle School principal for 11 years and spent 30 years with the Tempe Elementary Schools before retiring in 1984. He was very involved in the community from the Tempe Schools Credit Union, now Landings, Tempe Impacts Education (TIE Foundation) and Kiwanis Club. Selling anything from Christmas trees to candy. Ralph like being involved and liked people.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Carla.
He is survived by his brother, Harold, of Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Sumner Smith and Monroe Smith, of Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.