Ralph Shilling

Ralph J. Shilling died Monday, September 7th,  at his home in Fort Worth at the age of 82. He had been in declining health for some time.

Ralph was born February 18, 1933, to Lettie  and Jesse Franklin Shilling in rural Bexar county, Texas.  As a boy he helped his parents with

the work on the family farm until he joined the United States Air Force  in 1950 at the age of 17. While in in the service he was stationed in England

where he met his future wife Mary Thrower. After discharge in 1954 Ralph attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1957 with a

degree in accounting. Ralph and Mary wasted no time  in relocating to Dallas where  Ralph soon began his accounting career with Ford Motor Company.

In 1988 Ralph moved to Fort Worth and the following year he married Pat Gordon. Ralph worked for several Oil & Gas companies including Hunt Petroleum and 

Sun Oil Company until his retirement in 2001. Ralph was a longtime member of the Society of Petroleum Accountants and achieved his

Certified Public Account designation in 1969.

Mr. Shilling was preceded in death by his wife, Pat , and is survived by his daughter Lisa Alison Bryan and sons Anthony M. and Richard J. Shilling, of

Dallas, TX, daughter-in-law Marsha Shilling, son-in-law Scott Bryan, stepsons  David and Steve Hardwick, Steve’s wife Kathy Hardwick, stepdaughter

Sandy Hardwick and her wife Shirley Pettis.

In his retirement Mr. Shilling enjoyed foreign travel with his wife of 23 years, Pat W. Gordon, and spending time with friends and extended family,

Ashley, Angel, Abbey, Adam and Angela Flores, Megan Secaur, Jeremy Hardwick, JR Ledbetter, Crysta White, Amanda Hardwick and Asia Ledbetter.

Ralph also leaves behind many, many longtime friends who will miss him dearly. He will long be remembered for his kindness, gentleness,

and gracious good humor.

The family will conduct a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Interment at

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at a future date.