Ralph Heywood

KerrvilleColonel Ralph A. Heywood, Retired, United States Marine Corps, passed away on April 10, 2007.Colonel Heywood was born in Los Angeles, California in 1921. He attended the University of Southern California where he earned his All American designation and Captain while playing football for the USC Trojans in 1943.He reported to active officer duty in 1943, serving as a Lieutenant on the USS Iowa during the Pacific Campaign of World War II.After the war, he pursued his professional football career playing for the Chicago Rockets, Detroit Lions, and Boston Yanks in what is now known as the National Football League.With the outbreak of the war in Korea, Colonel Heywood reactivated with the USMC in 1952 where he served in Southeast Asia.He continued his military career, advancing through the ranks to serve as the United States Naval Attach in the Dominican Republic. Colonel Heywood continued to serve his country and in 1969 assumed command of the TwentySixth Marine Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam.After 32 years of distinguished service for his country, he took the position as Commandant of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. After his retirement in 1984, he and his wife, Suzie Heywood, moved to Bandera where they became active in the Texas Equestrian community, trail riding throughout Texas.Colonel Heywood is survived by his beloved wife, Suzie Heywood, stepdaughter and soninlaw, Geri and Mike Wollmers, grand daughter, Kara, stepson, Bob Green and his children, Traci and Michael.Services for Colonel Heywood will consist of a viewing on Sunday, April 15th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Kerrville Funeral Home. Service will be held on Monday at 10:00 am at the Kerville Funeral Home. Interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will follow at 2:00 pm.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to charities of their choosing, in honor of a man who devoted his life to the service of his country, friends and family.

---