Ralph Wesley McCurry, a businessman, amazing golfer, wonderful husband, and great Dad passed away peacefully on June 7th at the age of 73. He was born in Opelika, AL on October 1, 1951, to Wesley and Betty Jean McCurry on their first anniversary and Betty Jean’s birthday. He was a 1969 graduate of Huntsville High School and an avid Auburn fan.
Known for dreaming big, working smart, and living life on his own terms, Ralph built a legacy rooted in big-picture thinking, and unshakable belief in doing things the right way – even if it meant doing them a little differently. One of his many mottos was “Work hard, play hard”.
Ralph was an incredible athlete with a competitive fire that burned his entire life not only in sports but also as an entrepreneur. He was an exceptional hockey player and one of the first players in the Huntsville Amateur Hockey program. He played on the original UAH Club Hockey team that won the SCHA Championship for the first three years of its existence.
His true passion was golf – he did not just play the game, he studied it. He thought about his swing or approach every day and captured many tournament wins including:
Huntsville Country Club Champion 1995, 1996, and 1997
Cullasaja Club Champion 1996 and 1997 (Highlands, NC)
State of Alabama Mid-Amateur Golf Champion 1995 which allowed him to play in the National Mid-Amateur Championship
State of Tennessee Senior Amateur Golf Championship Qualifier 2013
Boyne Highlands (Harbor Springs, Michigan) Senior Club Champion 2019 and 2021
He was a member of Bay Hill Country Club where he had the privilege of playing many rounds with Arnold Palmer and many other professional golfers.
Ralph’s competitive fire was never just about winning – it was about the challenge, the mental edge, and the discipline it taught him. Whether on the course, behind a pool cue, or sighting a target with a rifle or shotgun, Ralph brought his A-Game. His mind was constantly at work. He had a gift for business – always spotting opportunity, timing the market, and building success from the ground up. He loved investing, growing companies and watching things prosper under his care. Friends often said he shot with a different gun in business – and it was true. His success came from watching his pennies, dotting his i’s, crossing his t’s, and thinking two or three moves ahead and he passed that mindset down to his sons, who he mentored with a firm but generous hand. He taught them how to lead, how to hustle and how to dream big without losing sight of the details.
Ralph began his business career in the insurance industry with his father and brother at McCurry Pike Insurance Agency. He was active in the industry for 20 years and served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Huntsville. During those years he was also involved in land development and commercial construction. In 1990 he turned to the heavy equipment industry and founded M & M Equipment. This company quickly became one of the tops in the field nationally. He sold this company and started Equipment Repainting Services (ERS) and ERS ReRents which he and his sons sold in 2023. He also founded McCurry Van & Car Rentals with his son as well as several other successful companies.
Ralph was an avid hunter and has many trophies from hunting with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends in Minor Hill, Tennessee, his home for the past 20 years where he spent treasured time on his land at “The Farm”.
Ralph was the beloved husband of Vicki Cummings McCurry and the proud father of three sons: Ralph Wesley “Wes” McCurry, Jr. (Jennifer), Michael McCurry (Tracy) and Griffin McCurry (Alex). He was a hands-on grandfather to seven adoring grandchildren, each of whom carry a piece of his strength, wit and curiosity: Michael McCurry, Jr. (fiancé Nicole), Olivia McCurry, Lucy McCurry, Foster McCurry, Lilly Collins, Cole Collins and R Wesley McCurry III. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Tammy McCurry, who stood beside him through many seasons of life as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Brenda Bitner-Forsythe and Jeannie McFarland of Gentiva Hospice for their tender care of Ralph during his illness. You truly are angels on earth.
The family will receive visitors Saturday, June 14th, from 1 – 3:00 pm at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, Huntsville, Al.
Ralph was a generous supporter of several organizations that were dear to his heart and the family requests in lieu of flowers donations in his honor to:
Minor Hill Alliance General Fund or Minor Hill Alliance Backpack program (please note to designate to the Backpack program). Donations may be made online at https://minorhillalliance.org.
