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Ralph James Loupe of Bayou Vista, TX left this earth and arrived in God’s heavenly kingdom on Feb 4, 2023. Ralph was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully after reassuring them of his love. Ralph was 87 years old.

Ralph was born with a bang on July 4,1935 as he would say. His parents were Walter and Eleanor (Waguespack) Loupe of Reserve, Louisiana. He had 7 brothers and 1 sister and is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Donald Loupe Sr., Gerard Loupe, Kermit Loupe, Joseph Loupe, Norbert Loupe, Ernest Loupe, Allen Loupe and sister Marie Montz. Surviving are wife Mary Ann, sons Rusty (Kathy) Loupe and Steve (Amanda) Loupe, daughter Cindy (Chris) Fischer, grandchildren MacKenzie Loupe, Hunter Loupe, Chelsi Loupe, Andrew Fischer and Kyle Fischer and great granddaughters Charlie Winston and Harlyn Loupe.

Ralph was a proud American and an even prouder Cajun. Growing up in South Louisiana, his boyhood was filled with adventures in the swamp with his brothers, fishing and hunting, and various forms of mischief. When the football coach told him he was too small to play, Ralph joined the Reserve High School boxing team in the 112Lb class. What Ralph lacked in size he made up for in personality and sense of humor. He was always the center of attention, in a good way, and never met a stranger. Somewhere along the way he got the nickname “Big Shot” which stuck with him for life. Nieces and nephews referred to him as “Uncle Biggie”. Ralph was bright and learned easily. He laughingly lamented flunking French class even though he spoke cajun French, saying their teacher taught a different kind of French.

After high school, Ralph immediately joined the Army and served in combat in North Korea. Ralph was a gunner in the artillery unit and scouted enemy territory to direct fire. Those who knew Ralph to be a loud talker can blame it on his hearing loss from the war. Ralph returned to South Louisiana after serving and took a job at one of the chemical plants along the Mississippi River. He took up golf and played baseball on company teams.

Ralph met his wife Mary Ann Holland while living in LaPlace, La. They married in 1970 and moved to Houston, Texas where he took a job at the Arco Refinery and Mary at a grocery store. Ralph loved children and was a natural born dad. Mary had 3 elementary aged children from a previous marriage and they quickly adopted Ralph as their father. He coached the boys in baseball and showed up for every school or sports event his children were in. Shift work allowed him to be home many days and he would often have dinner ready when Mary and the kids arrived home. On weekends the family would fish Galveston Bay in their boat “The Ragin’ Cajun” or Ralph would take the kids to the beach or Astro World. Ralph took the kids to church on Sundays at the neighborhood Catholic church. During Christmas he would dress up as Santa and go to hospitals and other places to pass out gifts to children and spread cheer. He recruited his daughter Cindy as an elf to help out and sewed together the little green elf costume she wore.

In retirement, Ralph and Mary moved to Bayou Vista near Galveston where they lived on a canal and had a boat parked at the dock. Ralph made fast friends with many neighbors there. An American Flag and a LSU banner adorned their boat house. Grandkids arrived and loved going to Papa and Mimi’s where they knew they were loved and fun things awaited. Ralph repeated the cycle, regularly driving 120 mile round trips through Houston traffic to see and support his grandkids at sport events and school activities.

Throughout his life Ralph was a living example to those who knew him. Ralph showed us how to put love into action. He showed us how to trust in God and not worry about things beyond our control. He lived according to the Lord’s Golden Rule. And he was surely filled with the Holy Spirit as these fruits were on constant display in his daily life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We miss Ralph dearly, but the memories he gave us and the lessons he taught us will live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Ralph’s family is planning a celebration of Ralph’s life in the coming months near his hometown of Reserve, La. Please contact Cindy Fischer at (281) 610-6734 for details. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in Ralph’s memory to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.