Ralph Coen

Ralph L. Coen, born 5 June 1939, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was the only child of Karl “Korky” S. Coen and Doris J. Coen (Dove). Ralph moved to Roswell in June 1947 when his parents opened Korky’s Motorcycle Sales. He attended school in Roswell, graduating from Roswell High School in 1957. Ralph joined the US Army in July 1956, and attended basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He was assigned to C Company 713 Tank Battalion which was changed to C Company 5th Tank Battalion 35th Armor. In 1958 he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division H9 13th Calvary at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Ralph also served in the National Guard, 4153 USAR School, 156th Special Group, and the 290th 1MA Detachment. He served under 9 presidents from Eisenhower to Clinton for 42 years and 10 months. Ralph returned to Roswell after his Army enlistment ended and went to work for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph for 10 years. After that, Ralph followed his passion for motorcycles when he went into the motorcycle business full-time at Korky’s Motorcycle Sales until his retirement several years ago. Ralph raced motorcycles from a young age, participating in dirt track and endurance runs, with many, many trophies to prove that he was a good competitive racer. In 2018, at the ripe old age of 79, he won his age division, which was the NMDA Open Vintage, at the Sandia Speedway for dirt track racing. Ralph used #50 as his racing number since 1961. Ralph passed away on June 7, 2025, with his special grandson Nicholas Russell taking care of him for the last few years. He had three daughters: Terressa Yancey, Jan Ricar, Rebecca Strong. He also had a deep love for his great grandson, Brandon Russell. Ralph’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to a few people that helped out all they could in Ralph’s life: good friend, Chris Bixler and the team at Interim Hospice. There will be a graveside service held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM at McBride Cemetery, with full military honors present to honor Ralph.

Ralph Coen

June 5, 1939 - June 7, 2025