Ralph E. England

June 12, 1938 - June 9, 2022

Ralph Eugene "Gene" England, of Riverside, California, passed away on June 9, 2022, after suffering from a broken heart and fighting metastatic prostate cancer. Gene was at home with his family by his side. At the time of his passing, Gene was 83 years old. Gene was born June 12, 1938, in Pattonsburg, Missouri, the youngest son of Ralph Edward England and Anna Mae Steele Lopez. On September 24, 1960, Gene married his one true love Wanetta “Bonnie Lou” England, after meeting her on a blind date on April 1, 1960. Gene proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, receiving an honorable discharge in 1959. While in the service, he attended the 3rd Marine Division Organization Auto Mechanic School and Automotive Engineering Equipment Mechanic School in Okinawa, Japan. After re-entering civilian life, Gene worked at a family-owned junkyard and then became a local and over-the-road truck driver, traveling all over the United States during his career until he retired in 2000. Gene was a devoted family man who put his family first, teaching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the importance of loyalty and that a man kept his word. He loved being a grandpa, coffee, ice cream, Jack Daniels, traveling, camping, riding motorcycles, coon hunting, deer hunting, watching old spaghetti westerns, dancing, and he had an undeniable love for country and western music. Gene is survived by his children Tina Storey of Riverside, CA; Robert England of Sacramento, CA; Teri and Mark Blanton of Hemet, CA; 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and another on the way. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Wanetta “Bonnie” Louise Campbell England, parents Ralph Edward England and Anna Mae Steele England Gordon Lopez, bonus dads Herb Gordon and John F. Lopez, brothers Jimmie Don Steele and Kenneth Edward England, his son Richard England, his grandsons Chance and Chase Blanton, and grandchild Baby Storey. Gene will be remembered most for his orneriness, stubbornness, devotion, and love for his family. The unconditional love, dedication, and loyalty he showed in caring for his “Squirrel” Bonnie Lou over the years will be a legacy that will surpass time. A memorial service will be held at Arlington Mortuary on Tuesday, July 5th at 10:00 am, followed by an interment at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider blood or platelet donations in memory of Gene, in honor of his true love Bonnie Lou. Information can be found on the Lifestream website at www.lstream.org