Ralph E. Borden Jr.

Ralph E Borden, 81 of Saint Jo, passed away from this life on July 25, 2024 at 6:30 PM at his home in Saint Jo. Ralph was born in Binger, Oklahoma, and moved with the family to Oregon when his father passed away in 1959. He always had a love for Texas, especially Saint Jo. He returned to make his home in Saint Jo in 1970. He and his brothers and nephews worked as Sheetrock and taping specialists in Oregon and Texas. Anyone who knew Ralph would say he was the hardest working man they knew. He was always up for competitions in Ranch rodeo, play days, and recently enjoyed Pickleball with friends. Ralph was a farmer and rancher, supplying his award-winning cantaloupe, watermelon, and vegetables to local markets each year . No one had a bigger or cleaner garden than Ralph. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, you could always find him in the evening hoeing his garden. Ralph and his black and white paint horse, Junior participated in the Saint Jo rodeo parade and rodeo grand entry for many years. He was a member of the Saint Jo riding club. His love of horses and cows led him to adopt and train mustangs with his sister Judy. He loved nothing more than sitting and watching out over the pastures at his cows and calves by campfire, surrounded by his family, telling stories of his childhood and listening to his nephews Larry and Mike play guitar and sing Many times, Ralph would fish the snake River in Oregon and bring home enough catfish to share with the family for the year. He and his brother and nephews made an annual elk hunt to Colorado, roughing it in freezing temperatures and having the time of their lives. His favorite spot in town was the Dairy Queen roundtable meeting with old friends, Eli, Robert, Doyle, Clint, Craig , Larry, Whistle and Ancil, telling tall tales multiple times every day. He had many friends, but maintained a childhood friendship with Bud Stephens of Gracemont, Oklahoma. Ralph is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Borden Senior, his mother, Effie May Borden, and his brother, James Wilburn Borden. He is survived by his sisters, Judy Frymire of Saint Jo, Avis Kittson, Betty Kneeland and husband Tom of Oregon. He is also survived by his brother Dave Borden and wife Ginger, his nephews Larry Borden and wife, Deanna, Mike Borden and wife, Michele, niece, Lauri Roles, and husband Eric all of Saint Jo and numerous nephews and nieces in Texas and Oregon. The family would like to invite friends of Ralph to a celebration of life memorial at 3 PM on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the Saint Jo Civic Center on the Square. Light refreshments will be served along with videos and pictures of Ralph’s life and stories from the family. Ralph didn’t want a funeral but requested his ashes be spread on the land he loved so much.

Ralph E. Borden Jr.

October 27, 1942 - July 25, 2024