To all the family members of Brian, I don’t have to tell you how special your brother, uncle, or great uncle was because I’m sure you already know. You were very lucky to have such a caring, humble man in your lives. As one of Brian’s many friends, we are all so grateful to have had him in our lives as well. So many special memories we will all cherish and hold in our hearts forever.  Rest in eternal peace, Brian. We love you!

Prayers for Brian's family and friends.  Brian was a kind and caring person.  He will be missed by many.

In Memory - Brian loves  Elvis just like I do

Brian, my friend. You sure have danced your way into the hearts of many, myself included. With your intelligence, and your goofy humor always accompanied with your smile, one never knew what to expect from you! Your love of dancing was just a joy to watch. You asked me to dance one night when we were at Pucketts. I said no, my right leg doesn't cooperate, among other things. You said, "we'll just tie your feet to the top of my feet, and off we'll go!" It took me a nanosecond to let that vision of me tied to his feet while he's doing the Jitter Bug, settle into my brain, then I couldn't stop laughing. Brian just grinned that grin of his. The stuff he'd come up with! His artistic doodles were amazing! His hugs were warm and genuine. Those crazy side burns! On you they worked! And those gorgeous eyes...have mercy! Thanks for doing and sharing all those videos of Gem Crossland & The Hypertonics. What a guy. I'll miss you. I'll save a turtle in your honor...

I am so sorry to see this. My thoughts are with his family and friends as well as his McEwen family. I knew him through his job and the passing of my parents and he was always so kind and helpful. I would also run into him out and about and he would always make a point to speak. We talked about his family and travels. He was a kind soul.

So very sorry to hear of Brian's passing. I have very fond memories of growing up next door to him and his family. My deepest condolences to you all.

I loved his humor & silliness, but most of all, I loved his huge heart.  
Lynne Gordon

Final night at Pucketts, before they closed down. 
Brian's memory will remain forever

Brian always made his dance partner look good by talking us through the next dance step.
The memories of his kindness, humor and huge heart will remain with us forever.
Lynne Gordon

Brian was very kind and joyful in every interaction at swing dance. He made you feel seen and at ease. He was also very encouraging to new dancers like me. My most sincere condolences to his family and my prayers for peace and comfort during this time.

I met Brian a couple of years ago while visiting my son Dale McCollum at the funeral home. He truly was a super nice guy. I know he will be surely missed but he’s now walking the streets of gold.

Brian was always contributing something no matter what he was doing. He was very involved in organizing and planning events having to do with music and dancing. You couldn't have Jem Crossland and the Hypertonics playing a show without him recording video or taking lots of photos. At work, Brian could always be seen caring for the animals around McEwen, feeding the birds and watching for the squirrels. When the inspiration came to him, he drew some awesome artwork that was quite amusing when the subject was someone you knew. He was caring and highly intelligent, and he had a way of making his day meaningful even if it was an ordinary day. The world was a better place with him in it.

From Charlotte Swing Dance - September 2025

We always take a group photo after the dance

From the last swing dance you came to in September 2025: making faces, laughing, and selfies.

Jim and I cherish our happy memories of Uncle Brian.   We enjoyed Brian’s tribute to Autumn and Evan at their wedding in Blowing Rock in 2013.  Brian also visited our entire family in Virginia after Evan’s ultra marathon race last year.  We will cherish the memory of Brian’s caring, thoughtfulness and creativity through his artwork that adorns Lula and Plummy’s home in Brooklyn.  We all miss you, Uncle Brian!

I only knew Brian from swing dance, but I’m thankful to have had at least a few substantial conversations with him.  He seemed to be a very kind person.  I’m feeling a deep loss , even though I barely knew him.

I remember the first time I met Brian, in the winter of 1994, he was wearing a long tweed trench coat and Doc Martens.  I knew we would be friends. So many memories are flooding through me right now. Camping, day trips, Thanksgiving, Christmas, weddings, funerals, births, and deaths. I was so blessed to be a part of his life. Brian wasn't just a friend, he was family. The atmosphere changed when he walked into a room. Thank you for truly listening. I will miss our inside jokes. I will miss your snappy come backs. "My eyes are better to look at, than look through." Thank you for sharing your life with our group of friends. It's hard for me to comprehend this world without you. I'll miss chili night and just hanging out doing nothing. I'll miss your self- deprecating remarks. Thank you for 31 years of friendship. I love you.

Wishing all his family and friends as much peace as possible at this very sad time. I just danced with him at swing on Friday. It was always a joy to dance with him. He was strong and joyous when dancing and exuded freedom when dancing. Such a kind soul! I am sorry for his passing 🙏❤️

Sending love and prayers from the Moody/Kang family. I have wonderful memories of Uncle Brian at your wedding and even coming up to Virginia for Evan’s race last year.  He was always kind, humble and thoughtful.

Gone to be with the Lord, but never forgotten here on Earth. With the joy and passion of dancing you left us. Long may the dance go on.
I love you buddy, you're going to be missed, in fact I'm already missing you, rest in peace but keep that dance.

This video was so Brian. (Thank you Beth for sharing it).   Brian wanted to see everyone out on the dance floor having a great time.  He reached out even to those who were no longer great dancers but had a dancing heart to give them an opportunity to participate.  Kindness oozed from Brian.  We'll miss your sweet smile and cute sense of humor.  He was part of our dance family and we all loved him and will miss him terribly.   
Denise & Tom Bach
CharlotteSwingDance.com

I am so saddened to learn of Brian’s homegoing. He was fun to be around and so helpful whenever my family has needed help, at times of death. I’m sure he will be missed as he was loved by many. My prayers are for his family and friends, for strength, peace and comfort as you all walk through this time of great grief. God bless you all.

This picture was made in the late 80’s or early 90’s in a Photo Booth. Brian directed the arrangement of our heads, of course, so that it turned out perfectly. I loved him. It would be impossible to know him and not love him. He was unique, a strange mix of creative energy in the room that took center stage without making anyone else feel left out of the experience. His love was unconditional and unchanged by years of separation when our lives took different paths. I will be forever grateful to have experienced years of love and laughter with him in the best young adult friend circle a person could ever have had. My heart is broken, but my soul will be forever stronger from his influence.

I’m going to miss you, Brian. You’re always so much fun to be around with and made each time that much better. You also had such a loving heart and cared deeply for your friends and family.  We are all certainly going to miss all those really funny jokes, the wonderful  desserts you baked and of course your drawings and art work.  Love you, brother, rest well and we will see you again in heaven.

Brian was not only a co-worker but he was  a friend.  His wit was unmatched and the  joy he brought will never be forgotten.  Thank you Brian for your friendship, all the laughs and off  the wall conversations and for being authentically you which was a gift to all who knew you.  Rest easy my friend ❤️

I worked with Brian last year at McEwen. He was always a safe and wonderful person to go to when I needed help or encouragement. His storytelling abilities were unmatched and he was so quick witted. I will miss his kindness, warmth, seeing his incredible artwork and mostly, his laugh. I am devastated by this loss, but I know that his impact and legacy will continue on.

We always had a great time with Brian he always made us laugh.

Our group has a lost a a wonderful person. We are going to miss him but will always have great memories.

Not everyone can have an X-Men at their wedding.  Thanks for the memories!!!

I will miss your excitement, your laugh, and all the dancing.

I am honored to have known Brian and be his friend.  Memories are flooding my heart and mind.  You were so incredibly talented.  You were one of the most creative people I have ever met.   You could write, draw, sketch, sing, dance,  and  much more.  I feel one of your strongest attributes was your ability to make everyone feel welcome and included. You could make us smile and even laugh.  I remember you helping in many youth meetings, youth camp, and making all the props for several Vacation Bible Schools.  I remember you making the life size Looney Tune characters for my classroom at school. I used these more than once.  l loved the times I would go out with you & "the group" after church. Fun, Food and Fellowship!! I remember when your sweet brother passed away. I remember when
Your precious sister passed. I tried to be there for you.  I am thankful God and many friends were with you. May God be with all your family you loved so much.  I am praying for you all. Rom. 8:28. Psalm 18:1-2

My condolences to the family. I knew Brian many years ago as youth camp counselors. I remember Brian‘s sharp wit, loving spirit and an incredible artist. To this day, I still have artwork he drew during our youth camp days. I have not had a lot of contact with Brian over the last 25+ years, but I’ve never forgotten him and his incredible Spirit. I will miss you.

Brian brought laughter, smiles, and giggles wherever he went. He had so many talents, singing, sketching, dancing, writing, but I think his biggest talent was making people feel good. He noticed you and greeted you with a hug, a smile, a kind word. He just made you feel seen and appreciated. Brian was a unique combination of a big personality with a humble, kind and shy heart. I bet he is swing dancing in heaven with his loved ones.

Brian was such a sweet guy. Always made me feel welcome and special. He was quick to include others. I remember one night in Concord we ran into him and celebrated the Christmas tree and fireworks. We had so much fun. Dance on, Brian!

OBITUARY

Brian Keith Raynor

April 16, 1969 – September 20, 2025

McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel

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