Ralph Ray Pokorny

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, Ralph Ray Pokorny, surrounded by family and friends,
died peacefully at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada; he was 73.

Born Sept. 17, 1950, Ralph was the oldest of four sons of Richard Delmer "Del” and
Eloise Virginia "Betty" (Bound) Pokorny. Graduating from Nevada High School in
1968, he studied Spanish at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, pre-
engineering at Fort Scott Community College, electrical engineering at the University Missouri at Rolla as well as communications at Pittsburg State University.

Taking after his mother-a longtime noted "baby" photographer-Ralph ran his own
photographic business for many decades, even as he worked for 25 years as a
photojournalist for the Nevada Daily Mail, eventually rising to the position of Editor. Ralph's many press awards speak volumes of his dedication and commitment in his role at the Nevada Daily Mail.  Most notably, in 2012 alone, he received 1st Place Best Photo Package, 3rd Place Best Photo Package and Honorable Mention for best Sports Photograph.  His photojournalism was best noted from colleagues as great shots, unique angles, great focus and perfect cropping to name a few. He was noted for his crisp writing and action shots of sporting events. Since their first
season in 1985, Ralph has been a big booster of the Nevada Griffons baseball team,
serving as a board member and taking team photographs for many years.

At the age of 13 Ralph became a HAM Radio operator, a hobby he continued for 60 years.

Ralph is survived by brothers Carl, Terry and wife Nancy and Frank. A memorial
service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Nevada
Griffons, either at First National Bank or at Ferry Funeral Home.