Ralph "Junior" McKinley Surrett Jr.

Ralph “Junior” McKinley Surrett, Jr., 86, Cary, NC, passed peacefully in his sleep January 18, 2026,after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Son of the late Rev. Ralph Surrett, Sr., & Nellie Worley Surrett, Ralph was born in the Beaverdam Community, Canton, NC, March 27, 1939. The only son, “Junior,” had 5 sisters, Jean Willis, Canton, Grace Chapman, Canton, Wilma Freeman (deceased), Sue Collins (deceased), and Linda Trull (deceased).

“Junior” married his high school sweetheart, Marie Burrell, of Canton and they were married 57 years before her death in 2014. He is survived by his daughters Sharon (Will) and Sonya (Scott), and son Steve (Julie), Pittsboro, NC. He had two grandsons, Daniel Vinson and Jonathan Surrett and a great granddaughter, Kira Vinson of Broadway, NC.

“Junior” went to Beaverdam Elementary and graduated from Canton High. He worked during high school as a bus driver, logger and at Champion Papers. After graduating he went to work for Hicks Corporation in Asheville, NC. He also worked for Lockheed Corporation before moving to Cary, NC, to work for IBM at Research Triangle Park. He retired from IBM and moved back to Beaverdam to help care for his elderly parents. “Junior” was an avid fisherman and enjoyed working on his property and helping others. His strong work ethic left a lasting impression on his children and everyone who knew him.

He proudly served in the National Guard for 12 years both in Canton and in Raleigh, NC. He and his wife Marie were instrumental in their volunteer efforts with Manna Food Bank and the Beaverdam Community Center.

In recent years while living at Jordan Oaks in Cary, he was known for his good nature, big smile and optimism in battling the many health problems he endured over the last decade of his life.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday January 22, in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations with the Reverend Gene Worley officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 23 at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church at 2524 Beaverdam Rd, Canton, NC 28716.

He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by his family. He was always there to help his children and grandchildren in any way he could. He often said his children and grandchildren were his biggest joy in life.

“Go rest high on that mountain

Son, your work on earth is done

Go to heaven a-shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son”

Vince Gill

Garrett Funerals and Cremations is caring for the Surrett family. www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com