Brian Jeremy Ditch

Brian Jeremy Ditch, 48, of Otto, NC, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Born on June 20, 1974, in Alexandria, VA, Brian grew up in Roanoke, VA. In his childhood, Brian was an adorable, blue-eyed boy who loved his cowboy boots, nature, and animals. During his youth, sports was an important element of his life as he played football, soccer, baseball, and basketball; additionally, in middle school and high school, he ran track and was a competitive runner in VA during his final years of high school. Brian was raised in the Protestant faith and found inspiration daily.

After graduating from Lloyd C. Byrd High School in Chesterfield, VA, in 1992, he attended John Tyler Community College and Richard Bland Community College. In 1994, he enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve, and following boot camp, he attended “A” school training at the Naval Air Station in Meridian, MS, and eventually joined his father in USNR Squadron HCS-4 Red Wolves (Helicopter Combat Support) at NAS Norfolk, VA. Brian loved his time in the Navy and missed the action-packed life when he received an honorable discharge in 2002.

With a mindset for technology, Brian worked for Comcast in Richmond, VA, for six years until he relocated to the mountains of Western NC in 2006, eventually becoming an employee of Macon County Airport where he could continue to pursue his passion for aviation. Brian enjoyed meeting people from other places and servicing the planes. Presently, Brian was an employee of Parkdale Mills in Rabun Gap, GA.

An admirer of the great outdoors, Brian enjoyed riding the river rapids, hiking the highest mountains, and fishing along soft streams. He adored spending time with his family, helping them in any way and sharing stories of his adventures, new gadgets, and business ideas. He was a great imaginer with a wealth of knowledge and a heart of gold. Brian never met a stranger and always offered a home to animals in need.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry; his maternal uncle Dennis Seagle; his maternal aunt Shelby Ridgeway; his paternal grandparents, Melvin and Harriet Ditch; and his maternal grandparents, Sam and Katherine Seagle. 

Brian is survived by his mother Alice Seagle Ditch of Otto, North Carolina, his sister Kristen D. Kurpe (Chris Kurpe), his niece Alison M. Kurpe, and his nephew Joshua T. Kurpe, all of Roanoke, Virginia; his maternal aunts, Barbara Pederson (Len Pederson) of Bowie, MD, Dorothy Monteith of Otto, NC; his maternal uncles Sammy Seagle (Betty Seagle) of Otto, NC, and Eddie Seagle (Jennifer Seagle) of Moultrie, GA. As well as, his paternal aunt, Diane Slagle (Scott Slagle) of Blaine, WA and Palm Desert, CA, and his paternal uncle, Melvin Ditch of Chehalis, WA, and many beloved cousins.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 am Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Newman Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will follow in church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. 

Memorials can be sent to Friends of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, 160 S. Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Newman Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 60 Mulberry Rd. Otto, NC 28763.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ditch family. 

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

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