Richard Brothers

Chief John Richard Brothers of Whitsett, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home June 26, 2025. He was born July 14, 1933 to the late John Kenneth and Virginia Boone Brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife LaRue Allen Brothers.

Richard attended Whitsett School and Gibsonville High School and graduated in 1952. During his high school years he worked part-time at Ingle Brothers Grocery pumping gas. In his adult years he worked for Sears Roebuck and Company and retired after 32 years in the warehouse delivering appliances. He and his family camped at Myrtle Beach on their vacations with several other families year after year.

He played golf and received several trophies and won a few golf tournaments. He did wood working as a hobby and later after he retired, he had a wood working business and made cabinets for homes. He and his wife loved growing day lilies and he enjoyed mowing and working in the yard. He made an effort to have the grass looking like golf course grass. He also volunteered his time with the Whitsett Ruritans building handicapped ramps for neighbors and people in the community.

Richard was a charter member of the Whitsett Fire Department. He served as the first fire chief for almost thirty years. He started the fire department at his home in Whitsett until one was built. He help lay some of the first brick when the fire department was built. He was a Life Time Member of the North Carolina Fire Chief's Association; an EMT and Fire Fighter. He served in several positions with the fire department including Fire Chief, Safety Officer, and the past President of the Board of Directors. After 55 years of service to the Whitsett Fire Department he was still a member of the Board of Directors attending faithfully to meetings until his health prohibited him a couple of months ago. One of his highest honors was given to him when the training room was named after him "The Richard Brothers Training Room." A plaque outside the fire house has his name listed first amoung the Charter Members. He made it his life’s mission to serve his community and neighbors. He did is proudly and unselfishly. Many fire fighters have gone on to the fire profession that he influenced or that served under him. He ended up being the "Last Man Standing" when it came to the original fire fighters. They all passed away or retired in years past.

Survivors include daughters Sharon Kay Brothers of Whitsett, Susan Brothers McKinney and husband Kenneth of Browns Summit; Grandchildren Emily Garner (Nate) Taylor; Nicholas (Melissa) Garner, and Elliott McKinney. Great Grandchildren Hannah Garner and Lacey Taylor. He is preceded in death by wife, LaRue Allen Brothers, Parents J. Kenneth Brothers and Virginia Boone Brothers, and Sister Annie Tullock.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Jeff Dodson. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home and other times at the home. A private family burial will be held at Gibsonville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers- Authoracare Collective Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.