BRIGANCE, Ralph C.

Ralph Ceburn Brigance, age 80, peacefully departed this world to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ early Saturday morning, October the twenty fourth, with family at his side. Born October the third, 1940 in Lawrence, Michigan to the late Ralph and Clara Iona Brigance, he is preceded in death by his grandson, Brandon Brigance, age 3. He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 44 years, Patricia Dawn Brigance; children, Ralph (Theresa) Brigance, Ross Brigance, Sheila Torres, Carl (Sandra) Brigance, Dawn (Kenneth) Verschoof; step daughters, Michelle Garigen, Sarah (Christopher) Lubienski; grandchildren, Amanda (Nate) McKenzie, Holly (Nick) Hansen, Alfredo (Michelle) Torres, Samuel (Misty) Torres, Felicia (Todd) Pardee, Vincent (Susan) Brigance, Casandra (Jeff) Sebright, Cierra (Travis) Strang, Tyler (Chelsi) Smith, Christopher Powell; Step Grandchildren, Patricia (Jonathan) Mathis, Lindsay (Matthew) Lott, Ella Lubienski, Anna Lubienski; sister, Carol Gilbert; brother-in-law, Sherman VanSolkema; Sisters-in-law, Phyllis Dykstra, and Dianne Denslow; aunt, Mary Brigance; Nephews, Darin Coleman and Kelly Coleman and many great grandchildren and cousins. Ralph graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1961 while working full time at Allied Paper Company where he continued to work from 1960 until their doors closed in 1989. He attended the business administration program at Davenport University and began a new career as a Realtor for Century 21. Ten years later, he took to the open road to see the country in a big truck, team driving with his wife for Gainey Transportation and Kuperus Trucking. Once off the road, he started a home air duct cleaning business called “Duct Dusters.” Ralph had many interests including family, music, playing the piano and fishing. From the blooming of spring’s first snowdrop, ’til the fall of the last autumn leaf, you would find Ralph’s fishing pole in the trunk of his car, ready to go, any time- day or night. Ralph took every opportunity to share his faith, whether while drinking a cup of coffee at Mc Donald’s or delivering a hot meal to the homeless on the streets of Kalamazoo. Ralph was a member of the Community Bible Study and faithfully attended Texas Corner’s Bible Church. He enjoyed early Friday mornings with the TCBC men’s prayer group at the Antique Kitchen.