Ralph Clarence Stegall, Jr.

Ralph Clarence Stegall, Jr. lived a good long life. He was born to the late Ralph C. Stegall, Sr and Ruby Austin Stegall on February 3rd, 1936, in Union County, NC. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeanne Fleming Stegall; and brother, Lanny Stegall.

Ralph graduated from Marshville High School in 1955 and immediately enlisted in the navy stationed in Norfolk, Va. He served aboard aircraft carrier #43 the USS Coral Sea during the Korean War and was Honorably discharged. Returning home, he entered Wingate Jr. College. While taking coursework in college, he worked as a butcher in his father's meat market and married Judy Griffin. Upon completion of his studies at Wingate, he enrolled at Lenoir Rhyne college where he graduated with his Bachelor's degree. and he began working as a residential advisor at the NC School for the Deaf. This union bore two children: Ralph Kimble Stegall of Lenoir, NC and Pamela Stegall Lynes (Jerry) from Cassville, Missouri. As time went by, Ralph met and married Jeanne Fleming, adding another son, Jeff King (Norma) from Rockingham. In addition to his children, Ralph has 4 grandchildren, Heather, Katie, Corey, and Keiffer; 3 great grandchildren, Emily and Carmeron Catherine; and sister, Barbara Garrison-Conway.

From NC, Ralph moved to Ogden, Utah to accept a teaching position with the Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind. His son, Kim was born while in Ogden. When a better teaching position was offered to him, he packed up his family and moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Pam was born in Florida. Then he accepted employment in Dallas, Texas serving as a private tutor for deaf children. He then returned to NC to work as a counselor for the NC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. While serving in this capacity, Ralph entered the Orientation to Deafness Program at California State University Northridge where he obtained his Master’s degree and ultimately became the Program Director for Vocational Rehabilitation on the NC School for the Deaf campus. Prior to fully retiring, he worked as a woodworking instructor with the Western Carolina Center. After his retirement, he operated an antique business with his wife for 10 years call Ralph and Jeanne Collectibles.

Ralph enjoyed his church and was a faithful member until his health did not allow him to attend regularly.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, February 20, 2023 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Michael Duncan officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors provided by the US Navy.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.