Ralph Quisenberry

Faithful servant of God, Reverend Ralph Quisenberry, age 91, was called home on Saturday, August 26,2023.

Bro. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Claudia June, his parents Hardin and Cova, brothers Ray and Norman Quisenberry. He is survived by his sister Linda Sharpensteen (Doug); his children Susan Roberts (Varnell) and Stephen Quisenberry (Laura); grandchildren Justin Roberts (Candace), Rachel Vonhof (Michael), Caitlin and Cole Quisenberry; great grandchildren Gage, Harlow and Copeland Roberts, Luke and Logan Vonhof, Boyd Williams and a host of extended family and friends.

Although Ralph never graduated from high school (having accumulated enough credits to graduate by his junior year, he enrolled himself in college), his love of education is evidenced by his earning a BA, an MA, MEd, and two Doctorates as well as being recognized with two honorary Doctorates. He was also awarded the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Distinguished Citizen Award five separate times. As a bi-vocational pastor, Ralph began teaching High School in 1956 and was recognized as Colorado Teacher of the Year in 1962 and 1966. In 1967 he was named Colorado Father of the Year.

Ralph’s love of education was eclipsed only by his love for the Lord. After he and June married in December 1950, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Tucson, Arizona. While there, he was ordained and pastored Wetmore Baptist Church. After his military service ended, the family moved to Kentucky where he attended college and pastored Dry Run Baptist Church. After graduation in l955, Bro. Ralph moved his family to Colorado in response to a request to come and serve where the “harvest is great, but the laborers are few”. This began his 56 years in Colorado planting and pastoring churches. He served as Senior Pastor to Central Baptist and First Baptist in Aurora, Colorado. Upon his retirement in 2012 he was recognized by the Colorado SBC as the longest serving Southern Baptist Pastor in Colorado.

In 2020, Bro. Ralph and June moved to Bella Vista to live near their daughter. Ralph joined BVBC and quickly fell in love with the church.

A life filled with love for family, friends, and the Lord. What a legacy!