Ralph "Junior" H. Fair

Farmer, Business Entrepreneur and Conversationalist Extraordinaire

Ralph “Junior” Herbert Fair, 88, patriarch of the Fair Family and the notable farm of the same name along Allegheny Road near Manns Choice, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18, 2020 at Donahoe Manor Nursing Home in Bedford where he had resided for less than two weeks. He was born January 14, 1932, the third son of Ralph Albert and Edna Mae (Mowry) Fair at the old homestead in which he lived his entire life, in the house which his great grandfather built. He was preceded in death by his brothers Floyd and Harold Fair.

He was a proud young farmer when he was awarded the Grand Champion Baby Beef at the Bedford County Fair in 1949. He graduated from the Schellsburg-Napier High School and received an agricultural degree from the Pennsylvania State University.  At that time, he began managing the family farm. He had a passion for working the land and was a dedicated, hard-working dairy farmer who built the small 94 acre farm into the 400 acre organic dairy and poultry enterprise it is today. The Fair Family Farm was recognized in 2012 by the State Agricultural Secretary as one of the very few Bicentennial farms in Bedford County.

His high school buddy and life-long friend Chester Coughenour introduced Ralph to his sister, Geraldine Velma Coughenour. They were married 63 years on December 6. They raised their six children on the farm, John married to Kay Burkett, Thomas, Richard, Barbara married to Randy Hillegass, Bonnie married to Eddy Waugerman and Robert married to Clarissa Costa. He had six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was proud of his grandson Lucas Waugerman for carrying on his legacy, as well as graduating from the Pennsylvania State University this spring with a degree in Agri-Business Management. He also held a special place in his heart for his granddaughter Ashley Waugerman and was delighted to attend her wedding to Dalton Magruder last summer.

He was of the Christian faith and member of the former St. Marks United Church of Christ in New Buena Vista. He enjoyed spending time with his family and making lasting memories with them. He enjoyed reading farming magazines, newspapers and keeping a daily journal. He liked to watch Jeopardy and RFD TV to pass the time. He enjoyed long rides down country roads, seeing new sites, and sitting on the front porch in the evenings. He and his wife traveled to many destinations, including Alaska, Australia and a cruise on the Queen Mary II from London to New York to name a few.

He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather, a friendly conversationalist and will be greatly missed by those blessed by his life, especially his best friend, his Bichon that he named “Lincoln”.

A Private Funeral Service will be held with Pastor James Golla officiating.

Interment at Schellsburg Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.geiselfuneral.com

Arrangements entrusted to Mickle-Geisel Funeral Home, Schellsburg.