Carroll Ralph Bassett, 83, of Perico Island, FL, passed away on October 28, 2011. Ralph was born and raised in Johnston, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and Korea. He was wounded in Korea and received the Purple Heart and several other decorations. After his service in Korea, he returned to and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Ralph then pursued his first career in radio and television broadcasting in Iowa. A few years later, he embarked on his second career in insurance and employee benefits in the Detroit area where he and his wife, Meridee, lived for 40 years until retirement brought them to Bradenton, FL, in 1997. Ralph’s retirement was very active and he continued to golf several times each week and devoted his volunteer energies to the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island. With Kiwanis, he participated in many programs including the Easter Sunrise Service, foster grandparent program at Anna Maria Elementary, and coordinated the Salvation Army holiday bell ringing at the Publix store on the Island. Ralph was a member of the Marine Corps League and greatly enjoyed attending Marine Corps reunions. We found a recording of Ralph that was done in 1999 that we would like to share, it is from his birth til marriage, but most of the recording is of his service in Korea. The link to his oral history is https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/
A/1/1 Caroll Ralph Bassett passes away at 83
