Ralph B. Cushman, Jr., 86, died Feb. 4, 2009. Interment was Feb. 7, at Plantersville Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 14, 1922. He was an author and businessman, graduating from Milby High School in 1941. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Spraggins. In July, 1942, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, earned his wings and served in Panama through the duration of WWII. After being discharged in 1946, he resumed his education at the University of Texas at Austin where he consorted with many notables of Texas, including his writing mentor J. Frank Dobie. He began his professional career in Austin, working at the Department of Public Safety as their first Public Affairs Officer, where he served Co. Homer Garrison. After a stint in West Texas, the couple returned to Houston for Ralph to pursue a career in the coatings business before he began his own venture in commercial contracting. His keen interest in politics motivated him to run for political office between 1955-1966, twice for Houston City Council and once for the State Legislature, losing in each attempt, but solidifying valuable friendships with Councilman Frank Mancuso and future President George H. W. Bush.
In 1972 Ralph and Margaret moved to Plantersville, where they were involved in several business enterprises. Upon Margaret’s passings in 1980, Ralph was fortunate to re-connect with Mildred Snyder, an old friend of theirs from Houston, and they were married in 1982. Mildred’s loving encouragement motivated Ralph to pursue publishing his lifetime of research on Jesse Chisholm, trailblazer, peacemaker and friend to Sam Houston, which he first learned from the knee of Andrew Jackson Houston. Ralph’s second work was of Young Bussey, a Houston football sensation, and NFL player.
A fifth-generation Texan, Ralph was the eldest son of Ralph B. and Nell McDougald Cushman. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Cushman of Houston, his three sons with wife Margaret, Ralph B. Cushman, III of Anchorage, Alaska, Russell C. Cushman and wife Linda of Navasota and Reynolds M. Cushman and wife Titia Arledge Cushman of Salado; his siblings, Joy Nell Cushman and Richard S. Cushman of Houston; grandchildren, Maragret D. Cushman, Alexander Cushman, Ryan Cushman and Raegan Cushman, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins which he all cherished.
Serving as pallbearers will be Robert E. Cushman, Richard S. Cushman, Jr., Russell Cushman, Reynolds Cushman, Austin Cushman and Henry Dean,. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Denton Cooley, Bill Walraven, Wallace Wilson, Jr., Dr. John C. Gallagher, Dick Gauthier and George Strake, Jr.