Private family services for Mr. Ralph Bristol, Jr, age 89 of Ashland, were held on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland.
Mr. Bristol passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Russell Medical Center in Alexander City after a long illness surrounded by love. In 1958, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree through Hamilton State University. He became an Auctioneer and Real Estate Broker in Vermont and North Carolina. He was a member of the Shriners, Freemasons and American Legion after serving his country in the USMC.
In 2004, he moved to Clay County and met the lady he had been looking for. Deciding to stay, he gained an extended family. Ralph loved to go sightseeing, meeting his friends at McDonald’s and he loved to work on old cars; he could fix just about anything.
He is survived by his three sons: Ian (Heidi) Bristol of Morganton, Craig (Angela) Avondo of Elizabeth City, and Jeff Avondo of Greensboro, all of North Carolina; one brother, Ronald (Lois) Bristol of Rutland, VT and one sister Diane Marel of East Moulton, MN; four grandchildren: Alana and Greysen Bristol, Cyndi Taft and Dustin Spruill; and many nieces and nephews. His surviving extended family of sixteen years: Evelyn Forman; Sherry (Randall) Browning of Chandler Springs; Danny (Jemima) Forman; Cathy Smith; Doug Forman; Rita (Jody) East; and Saddie (Leon) Halford, all of Ashland; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. They always knew where Ralph had the candy.
He was preceded in death by his previous wife, Linda Theiss Moore of Water Lilly Loop; his mother, Carrie Olive Bristol and his father, Ralph Gilman Bristol, Sr.; and one brother, Lawrence Bristol, Sr. of West Rutland.
Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.
