Ralph McCullough, 70, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away on December 10th, 2024. He is survived by his wife Beverly  McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; son Christopher McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; daughter Erin McCullough of Pennsylvania; son Jacob McCullough of New Port Richey, Florida; brother Loren McCullough (Sue) of Pennsylvania.; sister-in-law Deborah Albright Meyers (Barry) of Dunedin, Florida; as well as brother-in-law Rob Albright (Shelly) of Arizona. He also leaves his stepdaughter Susan Ramsey (Scott) of Charleroi, Pennsylvania; three stepgrandsons Tre Axton, Lance Ramsey, and Logan Ramsey; great-stepgrandson Dexter Axton of Pennsylvania; stepdaughter-in-law Dana Taper (Bob) (stepson–in-law passed away June 7th, 2024);  step-granddaughters Allyson and  Aubrie  Taper of Pennsylvania; as well as several nieces and nephews in Arizona and Louisiana.

Born in Euclid, Ohio, he schooled in Donora, Pennsylvania. Ralph was a graduate of  Indiana State University in Indiana, Pennsylvania, receiving his B.A. in Food Services. However, his love was for law enforcement and he became an officer with Carroll Township Police Department. Becoming a Corporal within the Department, he served Carroll Township for thirty-one years, acquiring recognition and multiple injuries on the job.

Ralph also was a long-time and well-respected member of the Carroll Township Fire Department as well as an EMT.  He retired after the last injury on the P.D. in 2007 and moved from Monongahela to Somerset, Pennsylvania.Then, tiring of the cold weather, he and Bev (married Nov. 3, 2006) moved to Florida…where they remained.

Ralph was a Masonic Past Grand Master and a 25-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Monongahela,Pennsylvania. He strove to be the best Mason that he could and cherished his time with the Lodge. He was the very best prayer giver I ever knew.

Ralph was an avid HAM radio operator…a hobby he enjoyed since a teenager. Over the years, this hobby became more of an identity for Ralph. Many a night, I would hear him on the radio to people all over the world. Fascinating.

Ralph’s membership in the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club contributed his service in just about every capacity you can imagine, including being past president and was currently serving as the club secretary. He was the current SkyWarn coordinator for Pasco County and served on ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) He also was a volunteer examiner with the Laurel Amateur Radio Club. Ralph was first licensed in 1973. He was an avid digital mode operator, enjoying PSK, RTTY, JT-65 and he loved FT-8. He also volunteered as the Ham Radio Emergency Operations Coordinator for Pasco County for several years.

Ralph loved being involved with helping people… which is good because we joked about how I “collected” people!!

He never stopped trying to get me to get my Ham license, to no avail. He was the operator.

I want to thank all of you for your support for me and our families at this sad time. He was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed by all.

We all have heavy hearts, and Ralph will certainly be missed but we can have comfort knowing that he is now with his Savior, Jesus and is no longer experiencing any pain or suffering.

A memorial will be held in Florida at a future date…and we will sprinkle Ralph’s ashes into the Gulf of Mexico as he wished. We will also have a memorial service in Pittsburgh at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers,  St. Judes  Children’s  Hospital,  or The  Shriners Hospital for Children.

WE LOVE YOU   WA3YFQ … over and out …