Ralph Alma Preece

May 25, 1924 ~ May 14, 2016 Ralph Alma Preece, age 91, of Vernal passed away on May 14 at his home surrounded by his family. Dad was born on May 25, 1924 to Alma Preece and Mary Almira Murray Preece. He graduated from High School in 1942. He married Carma Ross that same year and they are the parents of five children. Then in 1998 he married Yoon Pierce. Dad serviced in the United States Navy during WWII as a gunners mate second class and received a citation of his leadership during the assault and capture of Okinawa. In 1952 he purchased the Utah Auto Court from Fran Fetch and which was later knowns as Motel Utah. Fran was a great friend and mentor to dad. He later started the RA Preece Insurance Agency with later became Service Insurance Agency. He was also involved in numerous other business ventures. Dad's public service included: Boy Scouts and 4-H leader, President of the Jaycees, President of the Vernal Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Vernal City Councilman, President of the Vernal Rodeo Committee, President of the Utah Motel Association, Chairman of the Tri-County Development Association, Member of the Utah Aviation Commission, Dinosaur land Advertising - he was often referred to as "Father of Dinosaurland", Utah State Representative from 1965-1968, and Utah State Senator for 1968-1972. Dad loved flying and had a commercial and instrument license, He enjoyed taking his children, grandchildren and their friends on plane rides. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and boating with family and friends. Countless hours were spent with his children, grandchildren, and their friends boating at Flaming Gorge. Some of our greatest memories were made on the boat. Dad was a great advocate of education and giving back to your community. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings': Maryetta Wardle, Ora Pearl Wilson, Vena Starkey, Phyllis Preece (died at birth), and Doris Morrill. He is survived by his wife, Yoon and children: Brent Preece, of Orem; Gerry (Duane) Tucker of Park City, Utah; Janet (Rick) Pedersen of Vernal; Lorri (Sam) Attaya, of Woodlands, Texas; Daryl (Penny) Preece of Anthem, Arizona; step-children, Donda Harrison, Kevin Boren, Quinn Pierce, 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 12:00 noon at the Vernal 2nd and 4th Ward Chapel (235 East 600 South). A viewing for family and friends will be Friday evening from 6-8 at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and at the Chapel from 11:00-11:45 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Rock Point Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American legion and Utah National Guard. Under the direction of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.