A Jasper legend passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 in Willingboro,
New Jersey. Ralph "Kooney" Lamar Bristol was a remarkable athlete, an
incredible person and a dedicated family man. Each of us have our very own
special memories and stories that will remain in our hearts forever.

Ralph was born on July 12, 1951 to the Lucious, Sr. and Millie Bristol in
Jasper, Florida. He had a happy childhood with his siblings and friends. Some
would rank him a month the greatest athletes produced in Hamilton County and
along with his brother (deceased) Chester, they were a lethal combination in pads.
Ralph, who was fondly called "Kooney" was the one. He was big and stocky
and could handle himself well at an early age. He looked up to his older siblings
and he was a role model for his two younger brothers. He was no stranger to hard
work, like most young boys of his era. Those tobacco fields had them ripped as
any weight room today.

Ralph attended J.R.E. Lee High School where he was very popular amongst his peers and teachers. His athletic prowess was known in both football and basket- ball and earned him a football scholarship at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as part of Hamilton County High School in 1970. After a brief stay at Southern, Ralph migrated to Philadelphia, PA with his older brothers. There he flourished while getting acquainted with the big city life, snow and cold weather. Later he met the love of his live, Ester Williams, and soon after
they were united as one. They enjoyed returning to his hometown to stay in touch
with family and friends.

He was his own man which lead to his entrepreneurial mindset. He worked hard
to create his own fleet of business ventures leading to the successful launching of the Ralph Bristol Salons of Philadelphia.