Joseph “Ralph” Byram passed away on Friday in Dothan, Alabama at the age of 96. He was born in Brookside, Jefferson County, Alabama on July 2, 1919 and grew up in Irondale. In 1942 he married Gertrude Blau and they lived happily ever after for 72 years until her death in 2013.
Ralph proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic and electrician in India during World War II. After the war, Ralph returned to Irondale and became a plumber. In 1965 Ralph and Gertrude moved to Huntsville. Both were long-time volunteers at Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Ralph dedicated his remaining years to many garden projects, most notably the Galaxy of Lights, which has become nationally well-known. He was also a Rosarian. Ralph loved baseball and played on amateur and semi-pro teams after WWII. He “managed” the Atlanta Braves from his armchair for over 50 years.
Ralph is survived by two children, Judith Byram Graham (Jim Link) of Trussville and Ralph Edward Byram (Ruth) of Dothan. Other survivors include four grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He lived with his son in Dothan after Gertrude’s death.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please memorialize Ralph with gifts to Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Av, Huntsville AL 35805, or your favorite charity.
