Birth: September 2, 1921 China Spring, McLennan County, Texas

Died: July 20, 2014 Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Parents:
Stephen Lee Ringer (1864 – 1953)
Ella Hannah Wortham Ringer (1890 – 1970)

Siblings:
Daniel Jackson Ringer (1925 – 1926)
Nannie Ella Ringer (1928 – 1929)
Mary Dell Ringer Lamb (1929 – 1968)

Stephen Lee Ringer Jr., 92, departed this life, Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Alexandria, Louisiana, after a short illness.

A private graveside service will be held at the China Spring Cemetery in China Spring, Texas where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents and grandfather.

Stephen was born to Stephen Lee and Ella Hanna Wortham Ringer on September 2, 1921, in China Spring, Texas. Steve was a resident of Hillsboro, Texas for approximately 55 years, moving to Alexandria to be near family about six years ago.

Steve’s working years were spent at J.M. Wood Manufacturing Co., where he managed plants in Hillsboro, Waco, and Temple for 40 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years. At that time he bought a motorcycle and spent many Saturday mornings on the road with friends. Vacation times took them as far west as the Grand Canyon and as far east as the Appalachians. Most mornings and late afternoons found him drinking coffee and talking with “the guys.” He was fortunate to have good friends with whom to share part of his days! Steve also enjoyed gardening, genealogy research, small building projects, the Dallas Cowboys, and his beloved dog Chachi.

Steve never stopped learning. In his late 70s and 80s he took computer classes and became very proficient in its use. Many days were spent in researching his family tree. He went from not knowing his paternal grandmother’s name to finding many fascinating facts. A great uncle, Galba Fuqua, was the youngest person killed at the Alamo, and an aunt was killed in 1881 by Indians in the last raid of Frio Canyon. Steve was a graduate of Waco High School and Texas A&M. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the army and served during World War II. Remaining in the Army Reserves, he had reached the rank of Lt. Colonel at the time of his retirement.

Steve is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia Ragsdale Ringer; two daughters, Donna Heard and Gerry, of Pineville, Louisiana, and Connie Miles of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Leslie Heard Morgan, Jana Heard Null, Douglas Matthew Miles, Casey Miles Brydle, and Virginia Miles Hurst; bringing joy to the last 10 years are seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Thomas Stephen Morgan, Caleb and Chloe Null, Declan and Gavin Brydle, and Philip Hurst.