Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 5, 2020

Ralston Murphy Pound, Jr., US Navy Commander (Ret.), age 99, a resident of Aldersgate Retirement Community, died on October 5, 2020.

A true “gentleman”, Ralston, a Charlotte native, was born on December 31, 1920, son of the late Ralston Murphey “Gus” Pound and Frances Egerton Smoot. Born and raised in Charlotte, Ralston attended Fishburne Military School and NC State University. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served active duty for four years and later retired from the Navy Reserves in 1969 with the rank of Commander.

A member of the “greatest generation”, Ralston was an F6F Hellcat fighter pilot in WWII. He became a member of the Fighter Aces Association (AFAA) that was formed in 1960 in San Francisco, by then Air Force Chief of Staff General Thomas White and was presented the Congressional Gold Medal. A Fighter Ace is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Ralston was credited with six. He was inducted into the NC Military Veterans Hall of Fame April 27, 2019.

When Ralston returned to Charlotte in 1945, following WWII, he joined his father at Pound & Moore Company. He became the company president, eventually retiring in 1985. Ralston and his beloved wife, Deanie enjoyed countless happy years at their homes in Dilworth, as well as River Hills and Mill Creek on Lake Wylie. Ralston’s love of the water led him to involvement in the Charlotte Power Squadron where he served as Commander. He was also a former Mason and Shriner.

A faithful Rotarian, Ralston achieved 72 years perfect attendance this past February. His father was a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte and Ralston began attending Rotary with his father in his early twenties and joined the club February 3, 1948. He served as secretary-treasurer, director, and chairman of many committees and service avenues. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and was named a Distinguished Rotarian in 2006.

Ralston was a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church. For the past 17 years he lived at Aldersgate and was a former President of the Resident Association. He was preceded in death by his wife, Deanie, a brother, James E. Pound; a sister, Frances Pound Henry; and sister-in-law, D’Arlene Pound.

Ralston is survived by his son, Ralston "Tripp" M. Pound III and his wife, Beth of Fresno, California; daughter, M. Lynn Pound of Greensboro, NC; two grandchildren, William Brandon Pound and Laura Pound Hayner and her husband, Daniel; great-grandchildren, Audrey Pound and Julianne and Isaac Hayner; brother, Carey Pound of Charlotte; sister-in-law, Jane Pound of Davidson; nephew Michael Pound and nieces, Lisa Pound Edwards, Susan Henry Combs, Ann Pound Haynes, Amy Pound Boling, and Alison Pound Michalec.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the Asbury Care Staff at Aldersgate for their wonderful, loving care of their Dad.

Memorials may be sent to The Rotary Foundation DAF, c/o the Rotary Club of Charlotte, 1850 East Third Street, Suite 220, Charlotte, NC 28204 or Aldersgate Retirement Community, Guardian Angel Fund, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.