Ralph “Thunder” Maynard passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2025 in his sleep in Thoreau, NM.
Ralph, the youngest of four children grew up on a ranch near Dupree, S.D. Growing up, Ralph and his two brothers and many great friends grew up ranching and hunting. Some of Ralph’s greatest childhood stores include his beloved South Dakota friends who became family for life.
As Ralph’s rodeo career took him to the National Finals Rodeo four times in Oklahoma City, OK, he met the most amazing families and friends across the country. Some of the greatest cowboys of all time were Ralph’s closest friends. Ralpph stayed in touch with his friends from across the rodeo trail thrughout his ife.
Ralph lived in South Dakota, Cody, WY, Gilbert, AZ and eventually moved to Thoreau, NM where he became a businessman in the learly 1970’s with the Elkins brothers starting Continetal Jewelers employing over 500 Navajo Silversmiths. By the early 1980’s, Ralph became a rodeo stock contractor. This evolved into his most successful family business making trophy belt buckles. Maynard Buckles is still owned and operated by the Maynard family, with Kelsi continuing his legacy.
Handsome, humble, charismatic, funny and gentleman are words that best describe Ralph. He loved meeting new people and helping anyone he could. He was a smart entrepreneur with excellent work ethic and people skills. He balanced his life well with family, friends, work and play. Ralph was a ringleader among his friends; he enjoyed life to the fullest and was proud of the life he built for his family.
Hunting, fishing, horse racing, playing cards and watching the Cowboy Channel and Minnesota Vikings were Ralph’s favorite hobbies. He loved helping young kids learn to rodeo, especially teaching dozens of boys to ride broncs. All will miss his charm, wit and friendly phone calls. “Thunder,” as his cowboy friends refer to him, was one of a kind and are sure Ralph is having one hell of a Cowboy Reunion in heaven!
He is survived by his beloved wife Kathy, who he had been married to for 58 years, his youngest daughter Kelsi Maynard and fiance Cody Smith from Thoreau, NM and his oldest daughter Sharmyn Munoz, son-in-law New Mexico State Senator George Munoz, two grandsons, Zane and Landon Munoz and great granddaughter Zoei Munoz from Gallup, NM.
Ralph Maynard’s funeral will be Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Sunset Memorial Park, Gallup, NM at 12:30p.m. The grave site service will be followed by a Celebration of Life at the Gallup Elk’s Club from 2:00-5:00p.m. Family and friends will enjoy food, beverages, country music and funny stories about Ralph. Please honor Thunder by wearing Western attire.
