Ralph I. Artery, 76, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. He was born February 11, 1933, in Manderson, Wyoming, to Glenn & Lillian Greenwald. Ralph graduated from Manderson, WY, High School in 1951. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted into the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, Ralph attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. He played on the college football team. The team that Ralph was a part of was inducted into the Rocky Mountain College Ring of Fame for their success on the football field. On April 3, 1972, Ralph married Pauline Mitchell in Greeley, CO. The Artery's moved to Morgan County and has lived here since they were married. Ralph worked in the oil & gas exploration business for over 50 years. In 1980, he started the Colorado Bit Sales and continued operating this business until health issues forced him to stop. Ralph loved working in the oil fields. He enjoyed spending time with the crews as they were drilling for oil and gas. He especially enjoyed his horses. He liked to travel with his wife and spending time visiting with people. He was a member of St. Charles Episcopal Church in Fort Morgan and the Morgan County Democratic Party. Survivors include his wife, Pauline, of Brush; 5 children, Morey Boche of Riverton, WY, Brady Artery of Lander, WY, Gary Boche of Houston, TX, Joe Artery of Albuquerque, NM, and Robin VanAusdall of Fort Collins, CO; 1 sister, Elaine Tidemann of Tracy, CA; 9 grandchildren, 4 nephews, and 3 nieces. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Harlan, and Harold, and his parents. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 10:00 AM at the St. Charles Episcopal Church, 505 E. 8th Avenue in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in the Brush Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary in Brush on Tuesday from 3 – 7 PM. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Alzheimer's Association or to St. Charles Episcopal Church, both c/o Heer & Dahl Mortuary.