Sycamore man celebrates 100th birthday
Ralph Conklin has seen and done plenty in his 100 years.
The Sycamore man, who celebrated the milestone birthday on Tuesday, served in World War II, was married for more than seven decades, and owned a successful oil and gas business.
“I just thank the good Lord for letting me live that long and for the good health that he helped me to have,” Conklin said in a recent interview. “I’ve had a few knocks here and there, but that’s common.”
Conklin enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from the former Center Township High School in 1944, serving in World War II. He was a gunner’s mate third class on the USS Kenneth M. Willett, a destroyer whose primary purpose was to escort and protect ships in convoy.
“We escorted the first troops into Tokyo,” Conklin recalled. “I wouldn’t want to do it again. The worst part about the whole thing is that I was in a hurricane over there and that scared me worse than the Japanese flying over.”
Religion remains an integral role in Conklin’s life and played a big part in raising his three sons, Randy, Doug and Kevin.
“He’s a Christian man,” said Doug, Ralph’s middle son. “He raised all of us in the church and instilled all of those values in us.”
Conklin is a member of Hundred (W.Va.) Church of Christ. A church representative visits his home every Sunday to pray with him, share communion and a sermon and sing songs. Taped services are sent to him that he listens to daily.
“His church life is very important to him,” Doug added.
A lifelong Greene County resident, he noted that he was raised down the road from his current home. After he returned from the service, he married his wife, Jeannette, and the two lived in New Freeport until 2019, when Doug purchased a home adjacent to his own in Sycamore on Hopewell Ridge Road.
“We moved him up here on the hill beside us, just so we could take care of him and Mom,” Doug said.
Ralph and Jeannette, who died in 2022 at the age of 96, were married for 74 years.
Last year, Ralph had some medical challenges, and had a pacemaker surgically implanted. He spent about six weeks at a nursing facility and is doing well.
Doug Conklin described his father as always being self-employed. He was a school bus contractor for the West Greene School District before he purchased Greenridge Oil Co.
“At one time I had 250 oil and gas wells,” Conklin said. “They were in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. I even had some way beyond Clarksburg (West Virginia).”
Conklin is president and remains involved.
“I just talk with them about things, but I don’t go out and do anything anymore,” he said. “They won’t let me,” he added with a chuckle.
The day-to-day operations of Greenridge Oil Co. are handled by Randy and Doug. All three sons are officers of the company.
Along with his three sons, Conklin has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren with another expected in May.
Rebecca Phillips, who serves as Conklin’s caretaker, said he is like a grandfather to her.
“He’s been such a blessing to me,” Phillips said. “I always wanted a grandfather, because I never had a grandpap. We get along so well.”
Phillips said Conklin thoroughly enjoys receiving mail and if anyone would like to send him a birthday card may do so at 947 Hopewell Ridge Road, Sycamore, Pa., 15364.
A celebratory lunch will be held March 22 to honor Ralph at the Waynesburg VFW.
Ralph credits his longevity to his faith.
“I couldn’t tell you (why I’ve lasted this long),” he said. “Only the good Lord can tell you that. I have always loved my Lord and with his guidance, that’s gotten me through some of the things I’ve gone through.”