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Coach Ralph Brown of Franklin, TN passed away April 21, 2017 at age 86. He is survived by son, William O. “Wink” (Kiki) Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Frances Wynn and Samuel Ralph Brown, Sr.; wife, Helen O’Neal Brown; and son, Michael Ralph Brown.
He was a BGA and Wake Forest University Graduate where he had many honors. His great coach and mentor, J.B. Akin, influenced him to return to teach and coach. Brown was honored by being named Tennessee High School Coach of The Year.
In 1962 he joined Vanderbilt where he was Freshman Football and Head Baseball Coach. He then joined Herschel Greer’s Guaranty Insurance Agency and later became owner. He was Young Man of the Year in Nashville in 1966 and President of the Insurers in 1968. He served on several charity and civic boards in Nashville and Franklin.
He taught Sunday School at Franklin First United Methodist Church for nearly 20 years. Many of the school and church students still call and write him giving thanks for his leadership and influence.
His last insurance affiliation was with Tom Irvin at Irvin-Dyal and Brown Insurance in Franklin. He called Tom, a dear friend, the best all around principal he ever worked with.
He was named to the Sports and Alumni Halls of Fame at BGA. Dr. Harry Guffee and he were the only two in the history of the school who held both distinctions. In 1997 the Guffee Brown stadium was named in his honor. Ralph was a long time member of Franklin Noon Rotary Club and the Nashville Downtown Rotary Club.
Funeral Service will be conducted at 1:00PM Monday, April 24, 2017 at Historic Franklin First United Methodist Church, Dr. Lynn Hill, Jim Taylor and Buddy Benedict officiating. Interment Williamson Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers, Tom Irvin, Mike Hudgins, Buddy Benedict, Bobby Langley, Dave Tichenor, Jerry Brinkley, David Wood, Bobby Morel, Charles Trabue, Duke Shackelford, George Elder and Russell Little. Honorary pallbearers, The Summitt Group, the Thursday Night Group, Franklin Noon Rotary,
BGA Football Players 1959-60-61 and longtime great friend, James O. Bass.
Memorials may be made to Battle Ground Academy Scholarship Fund or Franklin First United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be 12-4PM Sunday at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES. 615-794-2289 www.williamsonmemorial.com