Ralph Lee Brown, 82

Funeral services for Ralph Lee Brown, 82, of Gainesville, were held Sept. 30, 2025, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel in Gainesville with Jeff Dotson officiating. Burial with full military honors followed at Oak Grove Cemetery near Wasola. 

He died Sept. 25, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on July 1, 1943, in Nottinghill. He married Julia Carryl Bradley on Dec. 11, 1964, in rural Douglas County. They made their lifelong home in Ozark County.

Ralph served in the National Guard as a young man, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. He took pride in everything he did. Later in life, he began playing golf. He loved golf so much that he traveled to 48 states and six different countries with his wife to play it. He loved bluegrass music, especially with a fiddle player in it. He played the fiddle and guitar. Ralph raised cattle on his farm. He loved his farming life. He loved going to Hootin an Hollarin where he and Carryl square danced all night. He was a big part of this community. He owned Bryant Plastics for 44 years, until his retirement. 

He is survived by his grandson, Dawson Brown; granddaughter, Ashton Brown; great-granddaughter, Emree Hardison; and his son, Travis Brown, who has been missing since 2019.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carryl Brown; his son, Todd Brown; and his parents, Etsel Brown and Avis Souder Loftis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice, PO Box 1790, West Plains, MO 65775. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.