Ralph Richard Poston Sr.'s Obituary
Miami, FL United States
POSTON, RALPH RICHARD, SR., passed away on Friday, March 20, 2009. Ralph was
a native Miamian, born January 02, 1923, to parents, Richard Rockwell Poston and
Mary Emma Washburn Poston. He survived his 12 half-brothers and half-sisters,
and sister Ruth Poston Stasko.
While at Andrew Jackson High School, he delivered newspapers, and lettered in
Sports, swimming, golf, track, basketball and football. Upon graduation, he married
his classmate, Carolyn Sue Davis. They were married in Allapattah Methodist
Church, and remained married 66 years, until Carolyn’s passing.
Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Navy in WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He
and future business partner, Roger E. Kopplow, were stationed at Port Everglades.
Poston served as Machinist First Class on a submarine-tender, the “USS Euraile”,
deployed to the South Pacific. He attended the University of Houston.
He was a member of the local Ironworkers Union, and worked as an ironworker,
until a man in his Church encouraged him to start his own business and loaned him
$500, as seed money. Poston Steel Company was the steel construction business he
began. In 1950, the name changed to Poston Bridge & Iron, Inc., when the company
bought out Florida Bridge & Iron from Ralph Boardman, while Boardman’s company
was working on the 36th Street bridge across the Miami River.
As company President, he was a significant contributor towards the post-war
boom of South Florida. His company was involved in building many high profile
construction projects for over 30 years, including the Americana, Eden Rock, DuPont
Plaza, Burdines, the South Beach Pier, Turkey Point, the Port and the downtown
Federal Building. He was also elected the 2nd President of the National Steel Erectors
Association, 1970-71.
Poston was passionate about teaching, as well as building. With Carolyn as his
Graduate Assistant, he was an Instructor of the Dale Carnegie Course for more than
25 years. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his students.
He served in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate over a 14 year
period. He was leader of the Dade Legislative Delegation; and Chairman of the
Senate Transportation Committee. Poston was appointed to the National Highway
Safety & Advisory Committee, and Dade County Citizens Safety Council.
He was a member of Business, Inc. and a Mason from South Miami Lodge No.
328. He was also active in the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the local Lions Club and
International Association of Lions Clubs, 1950; a member of the National Society of
The Sons of the American Revolution; and served on numerous Dade County Blue
Ribbon Panels, as well as on Boards of Directors in Miami, including those of
SunBank, Goodwill Industries of Miami, and Epworth Village.
He was an active member of the Kendall United Methodist Church in Greater
Miami, where he was Chairman of the Building Campaign, President of the
Methodist Men and taught an Adult Sunday School class; and later sang in the choir
of the Cruso United Methodist Church in North Carolina.
The Postons were residents of Pinecrest, Tallahassee and Waynesville, North
Carolina. Poston is survived by his three devoted children; his son, Ralph R. (Rick)
Poston, Jr. and his wife, Toshiko, of Kendall; daughter Dorothy (Dottye) Susan
Poston Barrier and husband, Jerry L. Barrier of Albemarle, North Carolina; and
daughter Sheryl (Sherry) Lynne Poston Jordan and husband, Harry L. Jordan of
Coral Gables; his grandchildren, Lisa Lynne Poston, Jennifer Lynne Barrier Isaman,
Mindi Suzanne Poston Gay, and Michael David Barrier; and seven great-
grandchildren.
The family wishes to express special gratitude to their father’s loyal attendant,
Lazara Lizarazo. Also, to Patricia de Varona, Christina Ramirez, and the rest of the
staff at The Palace Royale, for their ongoing dedication to Ralph’s well-being, while
he was in their care. Even to the peaceful end of his 86 years, he loved life and was a
joy to those who knew him.
On Saturday, April 18th, a private Burial will take place at Woodlawn
Park South Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service, will be held at 12:00 noon in
the Sanctuary of Kendall United Methodist Church, 7600 SW 104th St., Miami.
Visitation with the family and a light lunch will be provided following the service in
The Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph Poston’s memory can be made to Goodwill
Industries of South Florida, Inc., 2121 NW 21st St., Miami, FL 33126; Kendall United
Methodist Church, 7600 SW 104th St., Miami, FL 33156; Cruso United Methodist
Church, 11653 Cruso Road, Canton, NC 28716; or South Florida Urban Ministries,
2850 SW 27th Ave., Miami, FL 33133.
Funeral Arrangements by: Van Orsdel Funeral Home Kendall Chapel
11220 North Kendall Drive Miami, Fl. 33176 (305)279-6644
What’s your fondest memory of Ralph Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ralph Richard?
Share a story where Ralph Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ralph Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Ralph Richard make you smile?