Ralph Wayne Grant

Ralph Wayne Grant, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, November 7, 2024. He was born in Montgomery, AL, on February 16, 1946. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and then attended and graduated from Auburn University’s Business School, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After college, he moved to Atlanta, where he began his career and met his wife of 50 years, Elaine (Harpe) Grant.

Wayne experienced life boldly and completely and easily befriended anyone he encountered. He maintained countless close friendships starting from childhood and continuing with new ones throughout every stage and part of his life. He was entirely selfless and always committed to prioritizing the well-being of others.

He took tremendous pride in his alma mater and was a lifelong, faithful, and passionate supporter of Auburn University. He was proud to support its athletic programs and business school over many decades. He enjoyed organizing legendary tailgates and attending Auburn football games with family and an expansive group of friends.

Professionally, Wayne spent his career devoted to Phoenix Metals, as its co-founder, along with his cherished and constant partner, Steve Almond. He was a gifted, natural salesman with an unparalleled work ethic. Building on many years of entrepreneurial risk, hard work, grit, and determination, Phoenix Metals is successfully operating in its fifth decade and is highly regarded within its industry and beyond. Although Wayne enjoyed the benefits of a long, productive career, he measured success in terms of the well-being of his Phoenix Metals family, his service to his customers, his valued relationships with vendors and others in the industry, and especially the longevity and closeness he shared with his fellow sales team members.

Wayne traveled the world with family, friends, and business colleagues. He was an avid tennis player and relished all outdoor pursuits, especially South Georgia quail hunts and saltwater fishing trips. He loved family beach vacations to the Florida panhandle and an annual summer Fourth of July trip to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In his retirement years, Wayne focused his trademark tenacity on bettering his neighborhood community and being the best husband, father, and grandfather, a man could possibly be.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elaine Grant; daughter and son-in-law, Kereth and Fain Hicks; granddaughters, Mary Everett and Hadley Hicks; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wesley and Alice Grant, and Warren and Jan Grant; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jerry and Cheryl Chandler; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Janie Kathryn Grant and Ralph Leo Grant.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Pastoral Care Department, Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.

Wayne’s legacy of generosity, selflessness, and commitment to others will live on in the many lives he impacted. He will be profoundly missed.