Ralph Michael Brown

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, NC.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 9, 2026 in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Byrd officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.

Ralph was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 17, 1945 to the late Ralph Winfred Brown and the late Thelma Gregory Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his eight-month-old daughter, Ginger and his sister, Jean Walker and special niece Sandi Walker Williams.

He continued to work up until his hospitalization as a construction superintendent with Mathews Construction Co. He worked for 50 years in construction with his final project being the Oberlin Hotel by Hilton located in Cameron Village. He had hoped to see it completed in the next few weeks. Other projects included houses of worship, schools, banks, hospitals, NASA projects and more. He worked hard and had an eye for excellence. He also served as an EMT on the Fuquay-Varina Rescue Squad for 7 years.

He enjoyed watching and attending NASCAR races, fishing, tinkering in his workshop, woodworking and always offering the best life advice. He had a passion for trains as his dad worked on the railroad. He was a brilliant man whose sharp mind never faded and loved to still help the grandkids with their algebra. His gentle and kind spirit, silly faces, Donald Duck voice and one of a kind laugh will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Joanne Young Brown; children, Melissa Nicholson (Tim) of Elizabeth City, Jeff Beasley (Paige) of Angier, Chris Dodson (Sarah) of Smithfield, Lindsey Roelofs (Ramie) of Garner; grandchildren, Hailey, Megan, Parker, Blake, Caleb, Jeremiah, Caitlin, Kimber, Cole, Glenn, Carter, Abigail and Thomas; great grandchildren, Bentlie, Olivia, Lainey, Miles and Ava.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com

McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, North Carolina is honored to be assisting the Brown family.