Sept. 24, 1937 – Oct. 1, 2025
Horace Ray Branum, 88, passed away on Oct. 1, 2025, at the Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Ray was born on Sept. 24, 1937, in Lenna, son of Arthur James Branum and Florence Warf.
Ray graduated from Stidham High School in Stidham, Oklahoma.
After graduation he joined the U.S. Army, becoming a paratrooper in the 82nd Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. During his time in the service, he met his future wife. On May 27, 1962, he married Ruby Burroughs Branum in High Point, N.C.
Ray attended Oklahoma A&M University before graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in Civil Engineering.
After graduation, he worked for Shell Oil for six years before moving to Charlotte, N.C. to start his own business, Branum, Inc. which he operated for 34 years.
After retirement in 2014, they moved to Stuart, Va. to live on Bull Mountain, one of Ray’s favorite places on earth.
He is survived by a son, Mike (Lisa) of St. George, Utah, a daughter, Audra Rickman (Tommy) of Southport, N.C., grandchildren Devyn Fruge and Keegan Branum of Tucson, Ariz. and Grace Rickman and Bailey Rickman of Southport, N.C., and brother Herb Branum (Terri) of Morris, Ok.
He will also be missed by his numerous beloved nieces and nephews and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by a sister, Leatrice Sargent, and a brother, Arthur James Branum.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Holy Angels, PO Box 710, Belmont, N.C., 28012.
