Ralph A. Noel, of Huntingtown lost his courageous battle with cancer on September 17, 2016 at Calvert Hospice with his wife by his side. He was born October 12, 1943 in Richmond, VA to the late Grayson A. and Vonda (Sturgill) Noel. He attended Richmond schools until joining the Navy in October 1960.

He was proud of his Navy service where he was stationed on the USS Northampton at Norfolk, VA. The Northampton was the Presidential Command Ship in the Kennedy era. He often spoke of seeing President Kennedy when he spent a night aboard in 1963. In recent years he attended reunions of the ships company. In March 1963, he married the former Linda Harman. After his Navy service he worked for the Federal Government from 1964 until his retirement from the Government Printing Office in 1998. He and Linda settled in Maryland, first in Hyattsville and Clinton and moving to Calvert County in 1978 with their two children.

In retirement he enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips to the Caribbean and the western U.S.. He especially enjoyed Alaska, twice driving the Alaska Highway across Canada to Fairbanks. In addition to traveling he loved camping with grandchildren in his motorhome, NASCAR racing, and dirt track racing where he was part of a pit crew at Budd's Creek for nearly 20 years. He was especially proud of his prized 1966 Ford Galaxie 7-Litre. As a lover of animals he volunteered time to Friends of Felines. He also loved his time spent in West Virginia hunting of just visiting his wife's family. When in WV he loved to attend Mt. Horeb UM Church in Upper Tract.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Linda, son, Edward(Heather) and daughter Terri Tranmer(Joe), both of Prince Frederick. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Ricky of Lusby, Ryan of Tokyo, Japan, Joseph(Amanda) Tranmer of Honolulu, HI, Chelsea Keathley of Kentucky, Justin, Jarrett, Karlee, Kinley and Britney Noel and Melissa Tranmer. Also survived by his brother Charles(Carol) of Richmond, VA; two nieces, Step-Mother Phoebe Noel and a host of cousins in the Richmond area. In Maryland he is survived by his sister-in-law Saundra(Aristid) Bouchard and niece Renee(Tom) Shelton.

He will be remembered by his co-workers, friends, and racing friends for his ever present smile, sense of humor, and many practical jokes. In lieu of flowers donations to honor his memory my be made to Mt. Horeb UM Church, 172 Ridge Road, Upper Tract, WV 26866, Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or Friends of Felines, P.O. Box 325, Port Republiv, MD 20676. Arrangements by Lee Funeral Home.