Ralph E. Enlow

Ralph Eugene Enlow was the sixth of seven sons (one died in infancy) born to Elmer and Lucille Enlow. His father was an innovative public school educator in Decatur, Georgia. Ralph enjoyed a rich and raucous family life with his brothers, each of whom loved all manner of sports. Painfully shy, Ralph was nurtured and protected by his older brother, David, with whom he maintained his closest and most affectionate sibling relationship throughout their long lives. The two survived all their other brothers. Ralph graduated as the 1940 Valedictorian of Atlanta’s Tech High School along with, among others, Truett Cathey of Chick-Fil-A fame. Ralph’s life was deeply marked by sorrow in the sudden death of his beloved father just 5 weeks before Pearl Harbor, October 31, 1941. He followed his parents and grandparents to Wheaton College, where he majored in Mathematics. In January 1943, Ralph joined more than 20 other Wheaton students who enlisted for military service as WWII intensified. All six Enlow siblings returned home safely after serving overseas (4 Europe, 2 Pacific) in WWII. Following the War, Ralph returned to Wheaton, graduating in 1948 along with his friend and classmate, missionary martyr Jim Elliot. After completing his studies at Wheaton, Ralph settled in Orlando, FL, where his mother had relocated during the War. There, at First Alliance Church, he met his beloved wife of 62 years, the District Superintendent’s daughter, Peggy Mangham, who had graduated from Toccoa Falls Academy (GA) in 1948. Married in 1949, Ralph & Peggy had 6 children from 1950-1965. Family and First Alliance Church, in that order, were the focus of their lives over the next 4 decades. Working mostly for the Don Mott Agency as an independent insurance agent, Ralph garnered a reputation for integrity and customer loyalty in the insurance profession, into which his second son, Ken, followed him. Florida Association of Independent Insurance Agents Executive Director, Tom Johnson, once described Ralph as the most ethical business man he had ever known. Following retirement, Ralph & Peggy joined several of Peggy’s siblings as residents of Good Samaritan Village. As ever, giving generously of their time, treasure, and considerable talents (musical, managerial, financial), Ralph & Peggy worshipped and served in the Village Church to the last full measure of their diminishing mental and physical capacities. Ralph is survived by Peggy, a resident of GSV’s Memory Unit; children, Ralph Jr., Kenneth, Sally, Elaine, Grady, Mark; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 3pm at Good Samaritan Community Church, 1441 Hoeger Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to one of the following: Good Samaritan Community Church 1441 Hoeger Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. David and Julia Gentino c/o Mission to the World P.O. Box 116284 Atlanta, GA 3036 [Designate gifts to account #12825]

Ralph E. Enlow

June 2, 1922 - January 10, 2012