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Ralph Melbourne, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, passed away at the home he loved on September 28, 2007. He was born in a taxicab on Central Avenue on February 29, 1932 to Eula Ernestine Wilson Melbourne (Tena) and Ralph Melbourne. Ralph graduated from Albuquerque High School and the University of New Mexico. He was named a Distinguished Alumni of Albuquerque High, a member of the AHS All-Time Football Team, and was a member of the 1951 Lobo football team, which was inducted into the Lobo Hall of Fame. He was a mortgage broker in the Albuquerque area for 53 years and, at the age of 72, was proud to attain the designation of Certified Mortgage Consultant. He co-founded the New Mexico Association of Mortgage Brokers, of which he was a past president. He also was a past president of the New Mexico Mortgage Bankers. He was proud to have trained and worked with many wonderful young people throughout the years, many of whom he claimed as "his kids." Ralph was active in the Republican Party and many community service activities. He was a true patriot who loved his country, his church, the state of New Mexico, its cultures and the city of Albuquerque, the Bulldogs, the Lobos, and most of all, his family and a lifetime of friends. Ralph lived life to the fullest and taught his family to do the same. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his stepfather, Carl Schlick; his sister, Eula Ray Benge; and his infant daughter, Mary Kathryn. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Maxine; son, Ralph Patrick, and wife, Regina; daughter, Nancy Archuleta, and husband, Gilbert; grandchildren, Amy Guzie, and husband, Brian, Michelle Winklepleck, and husband Joey, Christopher Melbourne, and John Melbourne; great-granddaughter, Makayla Guzie; brother, Mike Schlick, and wife, Julie; brothers-in-law, Don Benge and Russell Taylor; and many well loved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5, 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity or the Albuquerque High School Alumni Scholarship Fund: AHS Alumni Association, c/o AHS, Attention: Bobby Santiago, 800 Odelia Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Services are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800
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