Ralph Yoshito Akimoto

Ralph Yoshito Akimoto, 91, of Mineral Wells, passed away Monday, December 29, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Rev. Ernest Bernet officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Park Cemetery with military graveside honors will be provided by Mineral Wells VFW Post 2399.Ralph was born April 20, 1917, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Eiji and Mitsu Norikane Akimoto. He was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Army and saw active service during the Korean War. For this service he received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Six Overseas Bars and retired as Warrant Officer 3. He married Margitta Fricke, July 19, 1954, in Washington, DC and moved to Mineral Wels in March of 1960. After Army retirement, he worked at Southern Airways until he again retired in 1972. He was a Porsche enthusiast, owned several during his lifetime and was a member of the Porsche Club. He attended, and was a Charter member of the St. Mark's Lutheran Church where he served as Trustee for several years.Survivors include his wife, Margitta Elizabeth "Marge" Akimoto of Mineral Wells; daughters and son-in law, Lisa and Col. Marc Morgan, Ret. U.S. Army, of Fairfax, VA and Bettina Akimoto of San Antonio; grandchildren, Capt. Marcus Morgan, U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, Elizabeth Morgan and Kelly Morgan of Fairfax, VA and Casey Akimoto of San Antonio; sisters, Yasu Akimoto of Honolulu and Fumi Schmidt of New York, NY; brother, Dan Akimoto of Honolulu; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Akimoto. Memorials may be given to the St. Mark's Lutheran