Ralph DuBois

Ralph Duane DuBois passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with COPD. The world lost a bright light and heaven gained a star.

Ralph was born on March 29, 1945 to Howard and Marjorie DuBois in Maywood, California. As a boy he lived for baseball, and both he and his older brother Howard were very involved in local baseball leagues. The family later moved to Sacramento. Ralph attended Luther Burbank High School, and it was there that he met his first wife, Penny Schroder. They were married at 21 years old and later had two children, Nicole and Brandon.

A talented actor and singer with the good looks to boot, he eyed the possibility of a future in Hollywood, but responsibilities at home quickly extinguished those dreams. He attended Sacramento State College, pursuing a degree in Psychology. He later joined the Marines and spent six years serving the military at both Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton where he worked as a truck mechanic. He worked as a telephone repairman in Sacramento for many years. The young family decided to move to Idaho in 1980. Three years later Penny died after a short bout with lung cancer.

A single dad with not a lot of money, Ralph taught Nicole and Brandon to appreciate the simple things in life—the joy of a day spent fishing on a river, chopping needed firewood in the quiet beauty of a forest, and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. He relished any opportunity to escape to the woods to hunt, fish, camp—or simply just be there with nature. He always said the wilderness was his church. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing. Ralph loved going to Jackpot with his good friend Harvey McCoy. He could never understand how Harvey always won, and he never did—except for one time. Before he left Jackpot, he would always order a fried bologna sandwich. At home, he had to have a hot dog and two ice cream bars for lunch every day. He entered the field of law enforcement in the 1980’s, following in the footsteps of his father. He served as a police officer in Hailey, Idaho; Filer, Idaho; and finally in Buhl, Idaho where he retired as a sergeant in 2010.

In 1992, Ralph met his second wife, Kerin, and their love story began quickly and beautifully. They were married on July 3, 1993 when he gained three additional children. The couple enjoyed spending time with their five kids and their families, camping and taking trips to the mountains, and traveling to Montana, Washington, California, and Arizona and Hawaii. He joined the Marine Corp. League in July of 2006 and became a life member in July 2007. He served two terms as Commandant and loved to volunteer with his former comrade in arms helping to raise money for events and special causes, attending parades, and partaking in the Marine Corp. Ball. He also took part in the Safe Kids Coalition, the American Legion, and was a firearms instructor. Just two short years after Ralph and Kerin were married, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and though the doctors valiantly saved his life, that illness marked the beginning of his battle with COPD.

With only one lung, his family and friends watched as everyday tasks became more and more difficult with each passing year. He had more than one run in with death, but always fought his way back to the land of the living. He was an amazing and tireless fighter. He died peacefully in his home--where he wanted to be—in the company of his beloved wife and treasured little dog, Moki.

He is survived by his wife, Kerin; children, Brandon (Vivian) DuBois, Nicole DuBois, Jason (Cristina) Hitzeman, Troy Fox, and Corinna (Bill) Schryver; grandchildren, Gabriella, Sage, Cecilia, Lilly, Olivia, Paige, Tyeler, Nick, John Wayne, Megan, Lauren, Julia, Jason, and Isaac; and great-grandchildren, Kase, Aurora, Brayden, Legend, Elliana, J.T., Marley, and Riley; He is also survived by his mother, Marjorie DuBois; and brother, Howard DuBois.

He is preceded in death by his father, Howard DuBois; and first wife, Penny.

The family wishes to thank St. Luke’s Hospital and Hospice Visions for their care, compassion, and enormous help through Ralph’s final days.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, June 11, 2021 at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave North, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Ralph’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.