A native of Marietta, Ohio, Col. Lankford and his family moved to Terrell County in 19__ after retiring from the United States Air force with twenty-four years of service.  Colonel Lankford taught Social Studies and Economics at Terrell High School for fifteen years.  Ralph loved young people and believed in the importance of education.  He was a member of the Dawson Lions Club, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and was selected Terrell County Citizen of the year in 1995.  Because education was such an important issue to him, he recognized the need for a support group for the local library.  He was a member of the steering committee that organized the Terrell County Friends of the Library.  He also served on its first executive board of directors and was elected to serve again in 19__.  He and his students designed the official logo of the Friends.

Ralph Lankford lives on in our community because of the tremendous difference he made in so many lives.

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