Ralph Rhyne

I worked for Ralph with a few other men at Kings Mountain Textile Machinery for about 6.5 years. He was wonderful to work for. The atmosphere was so relaxed and fun. Every morning we would all sit and drink coffee for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or so while just discussing history or events. It was an honor to help build his famous Sweet Jet textile machine. This machine was so popular with every Textile plant in the South as it would save a million dollars a year in recycled Cotten! It was a very simple process and he used all American parts that could be purchased at a local hardware store yet the German company Trutzschler would eventually purchase the international rights to it. He had us build some cool things like a real working cannon and a huge western Safe in which he stored relics and gold that he had found with John Long. I was involved in his relic hunting as he paid me to help research civil war historical events in the Carolinas. I remember camping along the Santee Cooper River while hunting for Cannon with an underwater detector just to name a few adventures. I miss those days with his son Joey (an amazing drummer and drag racer) Glenn Ingle ( who has gone on as well) , John Long (and his tobacco buckets). Our Salesman Wilber Smith (a herioic Vietnam Vet). As a young man these men with Ralph made for a special place to work that I will never forget. I miss you Ralph and hope to see you in Heaven some day! Pastor Dennis Gomez , New Life Baptist, Bessemer City, NC

Thank you for sharing your nice memories and kind words of support.

He was a great guy and taught me a lot about electronics when we worked at Fiber controls in the early 60s.

So sorry to learn of the loss of a special friend. In high school we were members of the Road Angels Hot Rod Club. Can never forget Ralph's customized 1952 Chevrolet painted white.Lots of memories of good times at the river, playing badmitton a lot of laughter. He was such a talented individual. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.Brice and Georgia Warren