Ralph Edward Shoaf, age 66, of Morehead, World's Best Papaw and answering-all-the-Jeopardy-questions-correctly extraordinaire, was born November 19, 1957, in Corbin, Kentucky, and passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the U. K. Chandler Hospital in Lexington. A retired Major in the United States Army Infantry, Ralph spent 17 1/2 years serving our country.  He loved to share about his time in the service, dazzling the family with stories of visiting the DMZ in Korea, how he earned his numerous Army medals, and his time spent leading ROTC at Morehead State University. Although he retired years ago, Ralph was a soldier for life. After the Army, Ralph had a rich career ultimately retiring from the Kentucky Department of Corrections in 2021.  Ralph loved serving his community and was a former Kiwanis President. He was also a proud Kentucky Colonel and an even prouder Papaw. Of all his accomplishments, his crowning jewels were his grandchildren. Ralph is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janelle, as well as their two sons: Jacob (Leslie) Shoaf of Columbus, Ohio, and Alex (Margo) Shoaf, of wherever the Army sends them - currently Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland; three grandkids: Magnolia, Violet, and Wade, as well as three grandpups: Tucky, Cormac, and Bandit.

Ralph is also survived by three siblings: Bill Shoaf, Emma Shoaf, and Brenda Shoaf Eaton. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, William and Norma Rogers Shoaf, and two siblings: Michael Shoaf and Shirley Hartsock. In addition to his loved ones, Ralph leaves behind an eccentric assortment of baseball cards, hats, and over 400 keychains collected from all over the world.  Ralph loved his sports teams, and we know he will be in heaven shouting Go Raiders, Go Yankees, & Go Wildcats! Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Ray White officiating.  Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead with full military honors conducted by Morehead American Legion Post 126.

Visitation for Ralph Edward Shoaf is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to God's Pantry Food Bank at godspantry.org or to No Kid Hungry at nokidhungry.org.