Ralph Tincher Smoot Sr.

Ralph (Skip) Tincher Smoot, 90, a long time resident of Camden On Gauley, WV, and a former resident of Perkasie and Erie, PA passed away peacefully at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV with his wife by his side on Saturday, December 21, 2024. His wife and family mourn his passing and celebrate a life well lived.

He was born on May 10,1934 in Richwood, WV. He was the son of Ralph Omar Smoot and Virginia Tincher Smoot.

Ralph married the love of his life, Elaine Carol Williams Smoot July 30th, 1961. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Ralph T. Smoot, Jr. and wife, Donna, of Camden On Gauley, WV and William R. Smoot and wife Becky, of Orwigsburg, PA; brother James Paul Smoot and wife Patte, of Virginia; sister, Mary Rachel Smoot Richards of Maryland, and sister Alice Shannon of Wilmington, DE.   Ralph is also survived by nine grandchildren,  Ashley Lea and husband Wallace, of Port St Lucie, FL, Alyssa Smoot of West Lawn, PA,  Justin Smoot and wife Tara of Palmyra, PA, Shannon Smoot of Columbus, Ohio,  Josh Evans and wife Keren of Bethel Park, PA, Zachary Evans of Oak Hill, WV, Alyssa Culicerto and husband Pete of Charleston, WV, Tyler Gallagher and wife Brenna of Lehigh Valley, PA. and Connor Gallagher of Quakertown, PA. In addition, Ralph is survived by eight great grandchildren, Lucas Garner, Thea Smoot, Wallace and Charlie Lea, Barrett and Mac Culicerto; and Ari and Tali Evans.

Ralph was a dedicated member of Summersville Presbyterian Church where he shared his faith and deep voice with the congregation and church choir for over 30 years.

Ralph served his country proudly aboard the USS Shadwell during the Korean War. After his military service, he attended Concord College, then Villanova University, where he attended the Advanced Management School of Marketing, and subsequently the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ralph began his early career as a bank teller at Greater Delaware Valley Savings in Philadelphia, PA, and through hard work, dedication, and a strong sense of serving his community, became president of First Federal Savings and Loan of Erie, PA, then President and CEO of Sellersville Savings and Loan in Sellersville, PA.    He was a senior member of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers,  a graduate of the Institute of Financial Education, served as President of the Pennridge, PA Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Central Bucks County PA Chamber of Commerce, served on the Legislative Committee for the United States League of Savings Institutions and was named a "Distinguished Pennsylvanian" by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and by the Governor of Pennsylvania.   Ralph was also a long time member of the Masonic Lodge.

In 1996, Ralph and Elaine retired back home to West Virginia. In his later years, Ralph was an avid tree farmer who earned multiple awards between 2004 and 2014 for the quality of conservation and management in the Elk Conservation District of West Virginia.

Ralph's greatest joy was his family.  He also enjoyed boating on Lake Erie and hosting gatherings with family and friends.  During the Summer he took great pride in the farm and could be seen regularly waving to passers by from his lawnmower while he maintained the property. He was passionate about family and would do anything for a friend.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, December 28th 2024, at the Summersville Presbyterian Church, 427 Water Street, Summersville. WV. Family will receive friends beginning at 11:00am and the service will begin at noon.

In leiu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the church at the address above.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.