Ralph Mitchell Marlowe

Ralph Mitchell Marlowe, age 96, of Union Grove, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2024 at The Greens at Maple Leaf in Statesville. Born in Iredell County on August 31, 1928, he was the husband of the late Mary Gold Thompson Marlowe and the son of the late Elic Murphy and Carrie Lou Millsaps Marlowe.

A graduate of Central High School and proudly served in the US Army. He worked as a HVAC technician specializing in mainly industrial applications for Watts Plumbing and Heating and later for Steve’s Heating and Air Conditioning and retiring from Carnation Corp, and was a long-time member of Taylor Springs Baptist Church. He was a past president of the New Hope Community Building. Mr. Marlowe was a veteran of the U.S. Army specializing in infantry and later armor. One of his favorite times in service was being stationed at Camp Irwin California and having the opportunity to test armor gun systems outfitted with newly designed infrared night vision capability. His hobbies were being a loving grandfather and a love of anything “home grown”. His love of working a garden, raising farm animals and hay crops carried him through his elder years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Gold Marlowe whom he married July 2, 1960; son Bryan McLain, brother, Stafford D. Marlowe; and three sisters, Florence M. Lewis, Erma L. Jordan, and Pauline M. Campbell. Mr. Marlowe is survived by a son, Barry Marlowe (Paula) of Union Grove; grandson, Brandon McLain (Julia) of Statesville; granddaughter, Sarah Jones (Matthew) of Troutman; grandson, Ethan Marlowe (Elizabeth) of Chickasha, OK; and two great grandsons, Maximus and Roman McLain and two bonus great granddaughters Kadynce and Ayvrie Jones.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM Saturday November 2, 2024 with the funeral services following at 2:00 PM at Taylor Springs Baptist Church. Pastor Allen Mullins and Rev. Carl Williams will officiate with the burial following in the Taylor Springs cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 113.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Taylor Springs Baptist Church 443 Taylor Springs Rd, Union Grove, NC 28689; Purple Heart Homes 755 Washington Ave, Statesville, NC 28677 or online at www.phhusa.org/donate; North Iredell American Legion Post 113 at PO Box 62, Harmony NC 28634.