Rangeley Brown

Rangeley (Ray) Adair Brown, 95, of Morehead City, North Carolina passed peacefully into his Lord's arms on January 16, 2025, at Carteret Landing. He was born to the late Margaret King Brown and Andrew Adair Brown on September 19, 1929, in Radford, Virginia. His formative years were spent in Radford, with summers on his grandfather's working farm at St. Albans. So many happy days and wonderful memories were made with his eight first cousins. The cousins learned work ethics through chores on the farm, and people skills through interacting with the patients at St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital. Summers mixed with hard work and play made for a strong foundation throughout life, especially among these first cousins.

Ray’s first job was a paper route at age 10. Subsequently in 1948, he joined the Merchant Marines, growing up quickly there and began to seriously focus on the future. He later attended the University of Kentucky, where he met the love of his life and future bride, Polly Ann Puryear. They were married for 65 extraordinary years, until her death in 2019.

Ray had two outstanding careers, the first was as a Marine Corps Aviator. He retired after 20 years as a Lt. Colonel having served his country bravely and loving every minute he spent flying. Being a pilot was a joy to him, being a patriot was a deeply held honor. He did 3 tours of duty overseas, each 13 months in length, and moved his family 12 times crisscrossing the country as he was assigned to a new duty station.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1974, Polly and Ray became happy Eastern North Carolina transplants. At age 45, Ray began his second career, which lasted 27 years (until 2001), as a McDonald's franchise Owner Operator in Jacksonville, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Whiteville, Wallace and Clinton, NC. It was there that he gave many a young person their first job, later launching them on to various careers of their own. It was this aspect of his second career, encouraging young people, that he enjoyed most. Years later, he would take much satisfaction in their accomplishments. He received the coveted Golden Arches and McDonald's Speedy Award and served on the McDonald’s National Operators Board during this time.

In 1982, Polly and Ray chose Carteret County as their home, a place they dearly loved. Ray served on many civic, bank, church and community boards, graciously giving back to his adopted community. He loved cruising along the intercoastal waterway nearly as much as flying through the Carolina blue coastal skies. Often, one of his many rescue dogs accompanied him on his jet ski or boat. Ray loved Carteret County not just for its immaculate landscape and warm summer air, but also for the community filled with so many wonderful people he met along the way.

Ray was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and a current member of First Methodist Church in Morehead City. He was a devoted, faithful husband to Polly, a precious father to his daughter, and a great influence on his grandsons. His wise counsel was sought by many in the family and in business circles. He was an incredible bedtime storyteller, good conversationist and an even better listener. His quick wit and endless puns kept those near him smiling and in good spirits. He loved antique cars, trains, and, of course, flying. He could keep confidence like no one else and always found the best in each person he met. His life was well lived and will be well remembered. Because we have had a wonderful earthly dad, our family can relate to our magnificent heavenly Father. How grateful we are for this beautiful patriarch and how very missed he will be in our family circle, for now. We will see him again and rejoice.

At age 90, Ray totally lost his ability to walk but never complained. He always had an uplifting word for family and friends and a grand sense of humor. He loved his family, especially his grandsons. Residing his last three years at Carteret Landing, he was a joy to everyone who knew him there. We are forever grateful for the care and loving kindness shown to our father by the wonderful staff at Carteret Landing. They have truly been his hands and feet. A special commendation to the private caregivers he had over the years and in this last season, Tatiana and Maria.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Margaret and Andrew Brown and his younger brother, William King Brown. Those remaining to cherish his memory are his daughter, Peg Burns and her husband Charlton, a son Thomas Peyton Brown, two grandsons, Zachary Mason Jett (Rebecca), and Andrew Rangeley Jett (Allison) and four grandchildren: Adair Ann Jett, Lillian Grace Jett, Rangeley Jon Jett and Sally Virginia Jett.

A Celebration of life will be held at First Methodist Church on January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held the hour prior to the funeral at 10:00am in the Atrium of the church.

In Lieu of flowers, memorable contributions may be made to the Crystal Coast Hospice House P.O. Box 640, Newport, NC 28570 or The Broad Street Clinic 534 North 35th Street, Suite K Morehead City, NC 28557.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.