Colonel Leon Ralph Livingston, Jr. (Ret.), of Birmingham, Ala., peacefully departed this life on June 13, 2024. He is now safely in the arms of his Lord and Savior. He was proceeded in death by his precious wife, Camilla Cantey Richardson Livingston. He is survived by his three devoted daughters, Cantey and David Deeter, Katherine and Garry Ard, and Ann and Terry Lawley, 8 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren, sister, Ann Joyeusaz, sister-in-law, Betsy Cathcart and many loving nieces and nephews.
Ralph was born to Lois and Leon Livingston on December 12, 1927, in Hartsville, South Carolina. Ralph graduated from the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina in 1949 and treasured the time he spent as a cadet. At the time of graduation, he was a Regimental Officer, member of the Summerall Guard Drill Platoon, and Captain of the Yacht Club. From there, he earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Ralph married Camilla Cantey Richardson on September 2, 1950. The two shared an adventurous and rewarding career in the Army until his retirement in 1974. Ralph served in Korea and Vietnam. He received numerous decorations and honors including, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal. After retirement, he assumed the position of Commandant of Cadets at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. He built special bonds with hundreds of cadets and continued providing them guidance for the rest of his life. After 16 years of loyal service to MMI, Ralph and Camilla retired to their dream home in Orange Beach, Alabama. He and Camilla made it a priority to be involved in their community and church wherever the two lived. After Hurricane Ivan destroyed their home, the two moved to the Longleaf Community at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. They developed wonderful friendships with their neighbors and participated in supporting the Gardens. He and Camilla moved to Birmingham to be close to UAB Health Services that were required for him at the time. After Camilla’s sudden and unexpected death, Ralph moved to the Brook Highland Courtside Community where he continued to increase his precious circle of friends and become a beloved member of his community. At the age of 90, he married Shirley Mace from Marion, South Carolina and they had four special years together before her passing in 2021. Ralph was well rounded and enjoyed meeting people. He frequently visited Hamburger Heaven and Lloyd’s and knew everyone by name. Ralph was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a student of American and British history. He was an avid reader and read over 120 books over the last year of his life. Since moving to Birmingham in 2012, he had treasured his participation in the Sonburst Ministry Senior Men’s Bible Study. He was a faithful Member of St. Mary’s on the Highlands Episcopal Church. Ralph traveled the world, having cruised the Caribbean in January at 96 years of age. He was always planning the next trip. His favorite place to travel, the United Kingdom, was to be his next big trip in August. Ralph enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, dancing, card games, and swapping stories with his friends at Brookdale Senior Living where he resided at the time of his death. Ralph was a lifelong learner, a teacher, mentor, friend, loving Daddy, Granddaddy, and great granddaddy. He was and will continue to be a strong presence in the lives of the people who knew and loved him.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Wendy Dalton and her co-caregivers for their friendship and kindness during the last six years.
Visitation for friends and family will be at St. Mary’s on the Highlands Episcopal Church, 1910 12th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the church living room. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary. Col. Livingston will be laid to rest with full honors at the Alabama National Cemetery with his family in attendance.
In light of the many lives of young cadets on which Col. Livingston made a positive impact, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Col. Leon Ralph Livingston Endowed Scholarship at Marion Military Institute payable to the MMI Foundation at 1100 Washington Street, Marion, Alabama 36756, or online at marionmilitary.edu/annual-giving/ (select Greatest Need and notate Col. Livingston in the comments).