Obituary for Ralph Cornelius McCall
Ralph Cornelius McCall, 74, of Pisgah Forest, NC passed away March 12, 2023, at his home after a brief illness. He was born in Karlsruhe, Germany to Orville and Waltraud (Von Kossman) McCall on June 24, 1948. He grew up in Balsam Grove, NC with his two brothers and two sisters, working at the family store, spending time with his beloved grandfather, riding motorcycles and playing guitars with cousins and friends. He attended Rosman High School, where he was the recipient of the first ever Golden Helmet Award in recognition of being the “most determined player” on the football team.
He married his sweetheart, Sylvia Queen, in 1968, graduating from Brevard College that same year. A strong student and innovator, he joined DuPont within a week of graduation. As the first-born son, and coming from a long line of military service, Ralph joined the Army Reserves later that year. He first served his country as a drill sergeant in the Army and completed his distinguished 40-year military career as a tank commander, local squadron leader, and Captain in the Army Reserves Core of Engineering. Always striving to build a better life for his family, he worked full-time and served in the military while spending nights and weekends earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1974 from Western Carolina University. During his 35 years at the DuPont plant, he developed lifelong friendships that continue today.
Ralph read his bible daily, and you could always find it open on the table or kitchen counter. His favorite verse was Psalm 91, which he credited for keeping him and his family safe throughout the pandemic. He was quick to share his faith with others, and lead by example within his own life. He loved to play gospel songs on his guitar, and would sit for hours strumming, singing, and teaching his family and grandchildren. His songs will remain in our hearts forever.
An expert with anything mechanical or electrical, he owned, restored, and enjoyed tinkering with well over 100 different styles of cars, jeeps, and motorcycles throughout his life. Finding hidden treasures, no matter how rusted or broken and bringing them back to life was his passion, especially his collection of Model A Fords. He loved visiting car shows and talking about cars, motorcycles, tractors, or anything with any engine. Ralph could invent, build, or fix nearly anything and was quick to help friends, neighbors, or strangers on the side of the road with their own problems.
He was an avid outdoorsman who was most at peace in nature, enjoying the deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife that gathered daily on his property. Spending his entire life in the mountains of NC, it was hard to find a waterfall he had not visited, a trail he had not hiked, or a dirt road he had not explored. He looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and instilled in them a deep love for the mountains, with summers enjoying Paw-Paw’s homemade apple cider, picking blueberries on the parkway, and camping at the farm. He also enjoyed genealogy, researching mountain history, walking remote cemeteries, and sharing stories of family ancestors.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sylvia; children James (Trish) McCall of Clover, SC, and Kim (Adam) Jones of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Emma, Landon, Gavin, and Jake; sisters Patricia Thorpe and Sherry (Joe) Henderson, brother Heinz (Kim) McCall, as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Anchor Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Old Toxaway Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating Pastors will be Rev. Keith Queen, Rev. Jeremy Queen, and Rev. Buster McCall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local disabled veterans organization.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
He married his sweetheart, Sylvia Queen, in 1968, graduating from Brevard College that same year. A strong student and innovator, he joined DuPont within a week of graduation. As the first-born son, and coming from a long line of military service, Ralph joined the Army Reserves later that year. He first served his country as a drill sergeant in the Army and completed his distinguished 40-year military career as a tank commander, local squadron leader, and Captain in the Army Reserves Core of Engineering. Always striving to build a better life for his family, he worked full-time and served in the military while spending nights and weekends earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1974 from Western Carolina University. During his 35 years at the DuPont plant, he developed lifelong friendships that continue today.
Ralph read his bible daily, and you could always find it open on the table or kitchen counter. His favorite verse was Psalm 91, which he credited for keeping him and his family safe throughout the pandemic. He was quick to share his faith with others, and lead by example within his own life. He loved to play gospel songs on his guitar, and would sit for hours strumming, singing, and teaching his family and grandchildren. His songs will remain in our hearts forever.
An expert with anything mechanical or electrical, he owned, restored, and enjoyed tinkering with well over 100 different styles of cars, jeeps, and motorcycles throughout his life. Finding hidden treasures, no matter how rusted or broken and bringing them back to life was his passion, especially his collection of Model A Fords. He loved visiting car shows and talking about cars, motorcycles, tractors, or anything with any engine. Ralph could invent, build, or fix nearly anything and was quick to help friends, neighbors, or strangers on the side of the road with their own problems.
He was an avid outdoorsman who was most at peace in nature, enjoying the deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife that gathered daily on his property. Spending his entire life in the mountains of NC, it was hard to find a waterfall he had not visited, a trail he had not hiked, or a dirt road he had not explored. He looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and instilled in them a deep love for the mountains, with summers enjoying Paw-Paw’s homemade apple cider, picking blueberries on the parkway, and camping at the farm. He also enjoyed genealogy, researching mountain history, walking remote cemeteries, and sharing stories of family ancestors.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sylvia; children James (Trish) McCall of Clover, SC, and Kim (Adam) Jones of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Emma, Landon, Gavin, and Jake; sisters Patricia Thorpe and Sherry (Joe) Henderson, brother Heinz (Kim) McCall, as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Anchor Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Old Toxaway Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating Pastors will be Rev. Keith Queen, Rev. Jeremy Queen, and Rev. Buster McCall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local disabled veterans organization.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.