Ralph Ford Sink

Mr. Ralph Ford Sink departed this life Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at the age of 82. He was born Jan. 13, 1928 at Newport, Ark. Mr. Sink graduated from Newport High School in 1945. After graduation he attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas. His love of talent for music led him to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory School of Music. As a professional trumpet player he played for the Cincinnati Symphony. He also had the opportunity to travel and play with Patti Page, Peggy Lee and Gardner Benedict. Most of his musical career was spent playing with The Townsmen. On July 27, 1950, Mr. Ralph Ford Sink and Miss Nancy Bullard were married. From that time they have been inseparable, traveling with his music career, raising their family and working side by side in real estate since 1960. In 1952, Ralph and Nancy made their home in Newport, where he began working with his father on the family farm. Over the years he worked on many ventures with his father, including The Newport Button and Shell Factory, and the pecan and fur business. He traveled to Japan numerous times selling pearls and shells to the Mikimoto Corporation as they were beginning to develop the cultural pearl industry. He was a homebuilder and land developer. In 1960 he and Nancy started Sink Realty and Insurance, which is still open today. He was a member of the National Home Builders Association. As an active businessman, he also owned and operated the White River Building Center and S & S Concrete along with a river sand and gravel business. Mr. Sink enjoyed many things in life. He loved to fly airplanes and was a licensed pilot. Mr. Sink was a member of the Newport Airport Commission and the Newport Kiwanis Club. His greatest love was his family, especially his wife, Nancy. Mr. Sink was a faithful and beloved member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. Mr. Sink is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy (Bullard) Sink of Newport; two sons, John Ralph Sink II of Plano, Texas and Greg Sink and wife Nancy of Little Rock; one daughter, Melissa "Missy" Watson and husband Nathan of Arlington, Texas; two brothers, John A. "Buddy" Sink and wife Betty of North Little Rock and Glenn Sink of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Christi Sink, Bubba Sink and wife Alison, Jennifer Vicari and husband Nick, Laura Elizabeth Watson, Jordan Sink and Cate Sink and three great grandchildren, Wesley Sink, Taryn Sink and Clayton Vicari. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at Holden Avenue Church of Christ with Mr. Glen Knabe, Rev. Alan Ford, Mr. Ryan Wilson and Mr. Dinny Bullard officiating. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, 5-7 p.m. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.