March 1, 1937 – April 10, 2017
Ralph “Sonny” Middleton, 80, of Mobile, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 10, 2017 at his home on Dauphin Island. Ralph “Sonny” Middleton was born in Mobile to John and Laura Middleton on March 1st, 1937. He was a graduate of Murphy High School in 1956. When his father passed away at an early age he continued to run his father’s diesel engine business. Sonny used his knowledge and experience to acquire and grow Dog River Marina, Middleton Marine and A&M Yacht Sales then continued to keep the companies growing and servicing the boating industry for over 60 years. He would say it was a team effort and he did not have employees but family and friends. He loved what he did and always said “he never worked a day in his life”. Sonny had an enormous impact on the boating industry all over the world. He was humble and loved helping others more than himself. He was actively involved in the Treadwell Charitable Foundation, committed to community involvement and environmental concerns. Sonny is preceded in death by John and Laura Middleton, Julie Weston and Maria Jongebloed. Sonny is survived by the Konstanzer family and numerous close friends and co-workers. Visitation will be 12:00pm until 2:00pm on Monday, April 17, 2017 with a chapel service to follow at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36605. He will be interred at Pine Crest Cemetery. Pallbearer will be employees of Dog River Marina and Middleton Marine. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Mulhern Home, 2496 Halls Mill Rd., Mobile, Alabama 36606.
Published in the Mobile Register and Baldwin County on Apr. 16, 2017