Ralph Boyd Meredith, 93 of Cozad passed away November 22, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Cozad. He was born May 21, 1922 in Cozad to Edward A. and Rhoda A. (Pebley) Meredith.
Boyd attended school in Dawson and Lincoln Counties. He entered the United States Army on November 19, 1942. He was an Amphibian Tank Driver; serving as a tank driver with the 780th Amphibian Tank Battalion through two major campaigns in the Pacific Ocean. He received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Bronze Service Arrowhead Pacific Theater Cir. 465 WD 44. He was honorably discharged January 3, 1945. Boyd was employed by the Union Pacific Railway at Roscoe as a section hand before entering the Army. After his discharge he returned to work as a heavy equipment operator for several years and later worked for the Pacific Fruit Express Railway. On August 20, 1968 he married Esther Frew Muirhead.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Organization, belonged to the Eagles and Moose clubs. He loved to dance, attend auctions, rodeos, and family gatherings, and enjoyed going out to Don Licking’s ranch when they worked cattle. As a young man he enjoyed riding bronc horses, watching bull riding, and team horse pulls. As a hobby Boyd raised Shetland ponies and made little wagons for them to pull and many sets of harnesses. He entered his ponies in many area parades and was proud to show them off!
In November of 2009, he became a resident of Golden Living Center in Cozad and later moved to Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte. On September 15, 2014 he returned to Golden Living Center in Cozad where he passed away with family present.
He is survived by his son, Tom Meredith of North Platte; step-son, Steve (Mary) Laser of Broomfield, CO; special nephew, Harley Nichelson of Eustis who was like a son to him, and Harley’s wife Mary, who was the daughter he never had; several grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; a host of friends including Don and Linda Licking, and Dr. Gary Conell. He will sadly be missed by them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Esther; sons, Leonard “Skinner” Meredith and Ralph Eugene Meredith; brothers, Henry, Bill, Fred, and Kenneth; sister, Ruby Schwartz; and half brothers and sister, John, Jim and Eliza Druery.
Memorials may be made to the VFW Post 1504 or to the Alzheimer’s Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson .com.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 27, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Brent Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with full military honors graveside. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.