Ralph W. Slaugh

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    Ralph W. Slaugh, age 99, of Roosevelt, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, at the Uintah Basin Sr. Villa.
    Ralph was born on April 12, 1926, in Vernal, Utah, to Leonard and Jennie Postma Slaugh. He was the third of six children.
    Ralph’s early years were spent in Vernal surrounded by a large family. His family then moved to Mack, Colorado, when he was 9. He graduated from Fruta High School in May of 1944. A week later he reported to boot camp at Farragut, Idaho, and spent the next two years honorably serving our country aboard the U.S.S Goshen in the World War II effort. He felt it was an honor and a privilege to serve his country and always said he’d do it again in a heartbeat. He was the last surviving member of all the sailors assigned to his ship.
    Upon his return to civilian life, he enrolled in Mesa State College, earning an associate degree in Music and Spanish. He was introduced to music very early in life, learning to play the mandolin at age 4. Then he picked up the violin when he was 8 and later the guitar. His love of all things music lasted his entire life, playing the violin until just a few weeks before his passing.
    He married Dixie Vaugn and they had three children: Del, Nila, and Vauna. They later divorced. He married Dorothy Brumhall and became dad to Charlie, Julie, Marianne, and David. They completed the family with Jennie, Beth, and Susan. Dorothy passed away in 2017. He then married Laverne Johnson, and she passed away in 2025.
    Ralph worked many different jobs in his life: coal miner, oil rig work, lab technician, and custodian. But his favorite was being a husband, father, and papa to his large posterity.
    Ralph was a musician, poet, storyteller, and teller of jokes. He had a gift of memorization and could recall and recite poetry and scripture perfectly.
    Ralph had a deep, unwavering testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. He loved the scriptures. He and Dorothy served in the Detroit Michigan Mission and he was an ordinance working in the Vernal Utah Temple for 19 years.
    Ralph is survived by his children, Nila (Steve) Wagner, Eagle, ID; Charlie (Chris) Waller, Florence, MT; Vauna Slaugh, Clifton, CO; Julie (David) Hansen, Salt Lake City, UT; Marianne Pack, Neola, UT; David (Michelle) Pack, Gold Canyon, AZ; Jennie (Brent) Benson, Roosevelt, UT; Beth (Kathy) Slaugh, Panguich, UT; Susan (Doug) Betts, Neola; daughter-in-law, Cathy Slaugh, Milikan, CO; 34 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. 
    He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, son, Delbert Slaugh; son-in-law, Chris Denver; and granddaughters, Jessie Noland and Calli Waller.
    Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Roosevelt 11th Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (250 W 200 N).  There will be a viewing that morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church.    
    Burial will be in the Roosevelt Memorial Park, with military honors presented.