Donald Ralph Metheny Jr.

Donald Ralph Metheny, Jr. was born on March 6, 1935 in Huntington, West Virginia to Donald Ralph Metheny, Sr. and Mildred (Johnson) Metheny. In the 1940’s the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Ralph graduated from Highland High School. He served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 – 1956. When he returned to Albuquerque, he attended the University of New Mexico and began working for Mountain Bell. He met and married Ruth Ann Dickinson and they had two daughters, Tish and Midge.

His career path led them to Ohio with North Electric in 1970, where they lived in the towns of Galion & Delaware, before settling in Raleigh, NC in 1974. Ralph spent his entire career in the telephony business, advancing to the position of Director of Engineering for Northern Telecom before retiring in 1994. Ralph was a devoted husband and he and Ruth Ann shared 57 beautiful years of marriage before Ruth Ann passed away in Feb. 2016.

Ralph enjoyed diverse interests including astronomy, history, chess, crossword puzzles and golf and was a big fan of classic westerns and the NC State Wolfpack. His combination of intelligence paired with an easygoing and generous nature earned him the respect and love of all who knew him.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, his parents and by a brother, Charles Metheny.

He is survived by daughters, Tish Metheny (Hyoung Woo Lee) and Midge Metheny (John Culbreth); grandson, Alex Sahng-Hwa Lee; siblings, Joann Kalas (Jimmy) and Robert Metheny (Betty Lou); along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A service celebrating Ralph’s life will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 2pm at Apex United Methodist Church, 100 South Hughes St., Apex, NC, 27502.

Memorial contributions may be made to Apex United Methodist Church or to the UNC School of Medicine, Division of Transplant Services @ jasonray.org.