Petrone, Ralph Wright

Ralph W. Petrone, 66 of Blacksburg, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2015 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Radford, VA on June 11, 1949 and is survived by his father, R. A. “Pete” Petrone, uncles, Richard Wright and Anthony Petrone; Aunt Irene Giarusso; and many cousins. He was predeceased by his mom, Juanita W. Petrone.

A 1967 graduate of Blacksburg High School, Ralph was an outstanding athlete, especially in football and golf. He played football at Fort Scott, Kansas, Junior College for two years and then served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Suribachi (AE-21) in the South China Sea off of Vietnam.

Continuing his football prowess, Ralph was a walk-on at both the University of Tennessee and later at Virginia Tech before an injury sidelined him. He graduated from Virginia Tech and then taught at both Pulaski and Christiansburg High Schools before becoming a successful real estate appraiser for many years. Although a man of few words, Ralph was loved by many and was totally loyal to his friends.

Many thanks to Dr. Harry McCoy and staff, to the nurses at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery, and to special friends Caudill Wright, John Skelton, Steve Wright, Mickey McCubbin Pierce, Tyler Will, and Dennis and Janie Dowdy.

Visitation will be at the McCoy Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 30, from 6-8:00 pm and the funeral there on Thursday, October 1, at 11:00 am with the Reverend Jay E. Carey officiating. Interment follows at the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Virginia Tech Women’s Golf Program (note Petrone on check) c/o Gift Accounting, University Development, 902 Prices Fork Road (0336), Blacksburg, VA 24061.