I first met Ralph Harris nine or ten years ago. Another close friend, Jeff Simmons, had mentioned a family friend that I shared a common interest with, Raccoon hunting. Jeff suggested that I give Ralph a call and see if he would be willing to let me accompany him on a hunt. As a teenager, I had often visited Jeff's grandfather, who was retired coonhunter. Mr. Martin would tell Jeff and I about hunts of the past and the dogs he had owned. After finally meeting Ralph, I discovered that he and Mr. Martin had hunted together for years and were close friends. Ralph invited me on a hunt and we instantly became close. During the times I spent with Ralph, we walked many miles together. Ralph was a expert outdoorsman, who excelled in fishing and hunting. Ralph knew his dogs. He was a straight shooter, both with a rifle and as a man. I will never forget the many things he taugh me about hunting as well as being a man. Ralph will be truely missed.  I can only hope that we will some day meet again at the base of a huge Oak with a coon in the top and a good hound on the tree.