Boyd Ralph Boen, age 80, of Russellville died Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home.  He was born April 8, 1941, in Russellville to Bervel Boyd and Anna Mae Waller Boen.

He was a 1959 graduate of Russellville High School and furthered his education at Arkansas Tech University graduating in 1963, with a degree in music, both in piano and voice.  He also played the French horn and baritone.

He received an ROTC commission as 2 ^nd Lieutenant in Army Artillery.  During seven years of service, he attained the rank of Captain and served at a missile defense base in Incheon, South Korea during the Vietnam War.

While in the Army he began private pilot training and sky diving.  He logged more than 150 jumps and was a Master Parachute Rigger.

After his army service and building his flight time and training, Ralph worked at Central Flying Service in Little Rock as a charter pilot.  In 1972, he joined a start-up delivery company called Federal Express (now FedEx) in Little Rock (now based in Memphis).  He was employee #21.

As FedEx grew Ralph flew Falcons, 737's, DC 10's and 747's and chose flying international routes around the world.  Fred Smith founder and CEO of FedEx, called Ralph a fine man and a good friend.  He credits Ralph as a great pilot and one of the people who built the company.

Ralph enjoyed taking friends flying in his private plane, especially a first timer.  He maintained his flight instructor certification until his recent illness.

Ralph liked fast cars and antique vehicles.  He restored a 1947 Ford fire truck originally bought for Danville.  He enjoyed most filling it with veterans of all services and all ages for the Russellville Veterans Day Parade.  The fire truck also appeared in several Christmas parades and family and friend's birthday parties.  He designed benches and steps for passengers.

Ralph was a Christian and raised in the Baptist faith of his parents.  He appreciated many types of music and sang baritone in choirs and men's quartets, when he could.  He sang The Lord's Prayer at the 1963 Arkansas Tech graduation.

He participated in musical groups through his life.  He used his talents whenever he could and had an open heart and loved people.

Ralph became a Mason at the age of 21.  A member of Russellville Masonic Lodge #274, he was also an honorary member of Dover Lodge #17, Pottsville Lodge #333 and Booneville Lodge #247.

He was a Blue Lodge Master Mason, Scottish Rite 32 ^nd degree, Royal Arch Mason, Knights Templar, Knight's Mason, Cross of Constantine, and Grotto.  He was a past Worshipful Master and a District Deputy Grand Master.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Weedin Boen.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Marlene Hawkins Boen; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Shane Boen of Morrilton; a step-son, Kevin Price of Russellville; a daughter and son-in-law, Jane Elizabeth and Tim Guillette of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; two step-daughters and step-son-in-law, Polly Price of Atlanta, Georgia and Amy and Joel Rogalsky of Edmond, Oklahoma; a daughter-in-law, Melinda Boyer of Fort Smith; a brother-in-law, Lyle Hawkins of Dardanelle; four grandchildren, Brandon Boen of Morrilton, Ashton Wills of Seattle, Washington, Andrew Price of Fort Smith and Alan Price of Fort Smith; and a number of nephews, nieces and cousins.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Shinn Chapel with Pastor Craig Duncan officiating and Masonic Rites provided by Russellville Lodge #274.  Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Chapel.

The family would like to give a special thanks and gratitude to the staff of Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, Dr. Thomas Sneed, and Dr. Kevin Beavers.

Memorials may be made to CARTI Russellville, 209 S Portland Ave, Russellville, Arkansas 72801 or to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.