05/19/2026
Forever in our hearts ~ Reverend Captain Ralph Ernest Warnock
1946 ~ 2026, Lived 79 years
With profound sorrow, Ralph Ernest Warnock’s family announces his passing on May 14, 2026, at the Innisfail Health Centre. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, faith and love; his loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.
Ralph was born on September 13, 1946, at Edmonton General Hospital to Ernest and Marion (Sayers) Warnock. He was raised throughout the prairies along with his five siblings: David, Velma, Sharon, Paul and Vivian. His upbringing was shaped by his family’s life of service in the church, as his father was a pastor ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Marion and Ernest were best friends and partners in this calling, which gave the family both purpose and focus. They met during the Second World War in England; Marion, a gifted musician, taught all her children a love of music and connection. Ralph and his siblings would often burst into spontaneous but somehow perfectly coordinated six-part harmony songs at family gatherings. The Warnock family was deeply rooted in community service and love and appreciation of each other, the foundation he carried forward throughout his life.
Ralph’s educational journey began at Kindersley Composite School in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, where he earned his Grade 12 diploma in 1965. He attended Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan, and later graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon with a B.Ed. Degree in 1972. His early career was marked by a diverse range of jobs, including: farm labourer, professional driver, roofer, firefighter, residential school dormitory supervisor, school teacher, and program coordinator for South East Community College in Whitewood, Saskatchewan.
In pursuit of his calling, Ralph graduated from the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, Anglican Seminary, affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, in 1980 with a Master of Divinity degree. That same year, he was ordained as both deacon and priest, embarking on a distinguished ministry that spanned rural and urban parishes, and included chaplaincy roles with the Canadian Armed Forces, Edmonton Police Services, and Covenant Health in Alberta.
In the summer of 1976, Ralph met the love of his life, Shelley Ann Salmon, at Molly McGuire’s in Ottawa while Ralph was following the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Their meeting was a complete fluke and became an answer to prayer for both. He married Shelley in 1977, and together they built a loving home and family in which all knew they were special and loved. Throughout this life serving others, they lived in many places over their 48 year marriage, from tiny rectories in Kerrobert, SK to military housing in Borden, ON to many different suburban family homes in Alberta. Ralph’s devotion extended to his family, and he and Shelley joyfully welcomed four children: Kyle (Warnock), Maeghan (Chostner), Katie (Teeuwsen), and Nathan (Warnock). Over the years, Ralph and Shelley were blessed with six grandchildren: Lando, Kelly, Tessa, Evie, Amelie and Owen. Ralph took great pleasure in his grandchildren and wanted to be a part of their lives however he could best contribute. He could always be counted on to play games, attend sporting events and recitals, and enjoyed spending time with them.
Ralph’s marriage to Shelley, and the family they created together, was the achievement he was most proud of. Shelley, a retired Registered Nurse, and Ralph, who continued to provide occasional priestly services in retirement, settled in Innisfail in 2013, embracing it as their retirement home. Avid travelers, Ralph and Shelley enjoyed exploring new places and finding adventures together. Their fridge is a tribute to the places they enjoyed visiting together, being covered in magnets from across the world. In his retirement, Ralph had four postings in the Bahamas serving as a relief Reverend for local churches under the guidance of Bishop Laish Boyd. The first posting in 2018 was reinvigorating for Ralph, giving both he and Shelley a chance to experience devoted Christian faith in a new environment. Their last posting in Exuma was one of the highlights of their retirement years as they enjoyed both the community and the many great beaches close by.
Ralph will be remembered for his deep faith, intellectual curiosity, tireless service to others, thoughtful consideration and genuine warmth he shared with all. Although reserved, he felt things deeply and would share his thoughts only when he thought they could be of help to others. Known for a quiet, dry sense of humour, Ralph would poke fun in only the kindest of ways - and would get a twinkle in his eye whenever you poked right back. He was humble to a fault but a consummate proponent of others, most especially his children in their accomplishments. His style was unassuming, often asking thoughtful questions to convey his ideas and provide a moral compass to guide to your own conclusions. His faith was a complex and evolving one, grounded in personal responsibility and the moral imperative to act in love towards others. His passion for all things sports, especially the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was one of the many ways he connected. His legacy lives on through his family, his ministry, and the countless lives he touched; in those who remember his character and the guiding value of love, to God and, due to this, your neighbor. He will be dearly missed but we rejoice that he is at peace with the God he served so well.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Leonard’s on the Hill Anglican Church in Red Deer, Alberta.
If desired, donations in Ralph's memory may be made to The Mustard Seed or Hope Mission.
