Ralph Reid Jr., 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Sunday surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with bone cancer.

Ralph was born to Ralph and Marjorie (Turner) Reid in Ontario the youngest of three boys. He attended Newburg and Grand Ronde elementary schools, and graduated from Willamina High School in 1947. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict, spending the majority of his time in Austria. On May 29, 1954, he married Carol Roose in Chicago, Ill., and they immediately moved back to his home state of Oregon. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1962, majoring in mechanical technology in agriculture. He worked for many years as a salesman for various companies in the Willamette Valley until he purchased a semi truck to spend the next 11 years traveling throughout the United States as an independent trucker.

In 1996, Ralph was elected to the Albany City Council and was re-elected four times until he opted to resign in 2011 due to illness. During his time on the city council, he met many wonderful people while serving on several committees and boards. He truly loved Albany, the people of Albany and being granted the opportunity to serve the people here.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol; five children, Barbara Holmes of Albany, Linda and Bryan Covell of Lebanon, Mary and Brad Marrs of North Bend, Wash., Andrew and Zann Reid of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Kathy Thompson of Eugene; and 12 grandchildren, Heather Aldama, Joseph Reid, Eric Covell, Matthew and Bradley Holmes, Katie Holmes-Ward, Rebecca Asebedo, Stacy Covell, Katjia and Christopher Reid, and Sarah and Carolyn Thompson; and four great-grandchildren, Collin Reid, Alyse and Kaylee Aldama and Eli Covell. He is also survived by his brother , Robert and wife Lorene Reid of Kennewick, Wash.; sister-in-law Bernadene Adams of South Bend, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, James; brother-in-law Clifford Walter; niece Judy Reid; and nephew Matthew Walters.

The family wished to thank Dr. Kaye, and hospice workers Tracy, Amanda and Howard.

At Ralph's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service but a private family gathering will be at a later date. Ralph's ashes will be spread over his beloved family property in Skamania County, Wash.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Albany Call-A-Ride program in care of Ted Frazier, P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321.