Ralph Emerson Turley's Obituary
Ralph Emerson Turley
“Beautiful day!” Ralph Turley's description of each day was more than a familiar greeting but his approach to life itself. From his early childhood days living with his mother and older brother, Ed, on a subsistence farm, Ralph learned the lessons of rural life, to work hard and help others. He found joy in doing just that, and raising cattle.
Ralph Emerson Turley died on April 17, 2026 after a long, full life of 98 years. He was born on January 25,1928 in Pickerington, Ohio. For Ralph, life as a herdsman started early on his grandmother’s farm, where he milked his first cow at 5 years old. He worked at Graceland Farm in Pickerington as a youth of 11 years, being promoted to manager at 24. Later, he became the route manager for Pickerington’s Wetherell Dairy.
In 1961 moving to Mansfield, Ohio, Ralph became superintendent at Raemelton Farm Dairy. There his efforts to develop an elite Guernsey herd yielded many cows with lifetime production records and genetics that were exported to countries worldwide. Ralph enjoyed showing cattle both on the state and national levels, earning a long record of outstanding, prize-winning show cows and Premier Breeder and Exhibitor recognitions as a result. In addition to showing Guernsey cows, Ralph judged cattle in many states, as well as, in England and Australia.
Ralph’s achievements far exceeded his graduation from Pickerington High School. He served as past presidents of both the Ohio Guernsey Breeders Association and the Ohio Purebreed Dairy Cattle Association. In 1982, Ralph was named to the Ohio State University Hall of Service for his outstanding contributions to the dairy industry and for his support of future dairy breeders throughout Ohio. He served on the Guernsey National Board of Directors for 10 years and was a president of the American Guernsey Cattle Club. In 1994, the American Guernsey Association honored Ralph for his distinguished service to the breed.
After his career at Raemelton, Ralph and his wife, Martha, moved to Orient, Ohio south of Columbus. They formed Mar Ral Guernsey, which through collaboration with Villa Crest Farm of Indiana, has contributed many outstanding cattle to the Guernsey breed. At 95, Ralph still housed and cared for heifers at his home in Orient.
Though Guernseys were central to Ralph’s life, he and Martha found time to be avid Buckeye fans attending all home and many bowl games. They were a welcome addition to the tailgate parties at OSU.
Ralph is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Martha June Turley, his son, Jeffrey Mark (Anne) Turley, and his grandsons, Logan Emerson (Randi) Turley and Joseph Olivieri. He also leaves behind 4 great grandchildren, Maya Maxine Turley, Margaux Marie Turley, Benjamin Olivieri and Anthony Olivieri.
Those who knew Ralph Turley will remember him as a kind and compassionate man with a positive and grateful outlook on life, and for just a bit of orneriness to bring a smile to their face.
At a future date, a gathering of family will attend an internment at Violet Cemetery in Pickerington, Ohio.
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