John Joseph Ralston Jr.

John Joseph Ralston Jr., of Arlington, Virginia, died of complications of pancreatic cancer on April 19, 2024. John was born in Washington, DC on May 2, 1958, and grew up in Alexandria and Springfield. John graduated from Bishop Ireton High School in 1976, the College of William and Mary in 1980 and the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in 1983.

John married Elizabeth Wirick in 2002 and their daughter, Sarah Ralston, was born the next year. John was devoted to his family and centered his life around Sarah’s activities and interests. In addition to his family, the great loves of John’s life were most of the Washington, D.C. sports teams (except for the Caps, despite the best efforts of his wife and daughter). John was also a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed running, hiking, biking, and kayaking. He loved planning family vacations and spent many happy hours researching new places to travel. He played trumpet in the NOVA Alexandria campus band from the early 1990’s to 2006 and 2022-2024. He was an avid reader and some of his closest friendships were with members of the book club in which he participated for nearly 30 years. More recently, he also developed an interest in gardening. 

John worked 35 years as a government attorney, focused mainly on procurement-related matters.  At the time of his death, John was planning retirement from his current position with the U.S. Navy Office of General Counsel, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), where he had worked since 2005.  Previously, John served in similar roles for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Defense Logistics Agency. 

John was predeceased by his parents, John Joseph Ralston Sr. and Mary Barrett Ralston, and his niece and goddaughter Ashleigh Ralston.  In addition to his wife and daughter, John is survived by his brothers Tim (Lisa) and James (Chelsea), and 13 nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) or the charity of your choice. 

A celebration of John’s life will be Friday, April 26 at 11:00 am, at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 E. Capitol Street NE, Washington D.C. Friends may visit with family on Friday before the service, beginning at 10 am, or on Thursday, April 25 from 5 to 7 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington.