11.07.2025

Ralph Wesley McCurry 1951-2025

We have received the sad news that US rental company entrepreneur Ralph McCurry has died.

He passed away on June 7th at the age of 73 following a period of ill health. He began his career at the very start of the 1970s working in the insurance industry, with his father and brother at McCurry Pike Insurance Agency. He also became involved in a little property development and commercial construction during that period.

But that all changed in 1990 when he founded M & M Equipment in Huntsville Alabama, over the next six years he built the business into a highly successful enterprise operating from 11 locations. Then in 1996 he agreed a merger with Falconite Equipment creating a business with a network of 27 branches. Two years later they sold the company to NES for $175 million. NES was acquired by United Rentals in 2017.

Too young to retire, he teamed up with his sons to start a new business, in the paint spraying industry, along with Brandon ‘Heath’ Boone called Equipment Repainting Services or ERS. In 2002 they began renting out equipment, mostly larger boom lifts and telehandlers on a wholesale rental basis, which they called ERS ReRents. He also set up McCurry Van & Car Rentals.

The equipment rental business was acquired by United Rentals in June 2022. Since then, Ralph has kept abreast of progress at the McCurry Van & Car Rental operation which has grown in to a six location business managed by his son Wes.

He leaves behind his wife Vicki, three sons, Wes, Michael, and Griffin, along with seven grandchildren.
In addition to his business interests and accomplishments he had been a gifted hockey player when younger and later became an avid and highly successful golfer. His motto was “Work hard and play hard."

His family said: “We would like to thank Brenda Bitner-Forsythe and Jeannie McFarland of Gentiva Hospice for their tender care of Ralph during his illness. You truly are angels on earth.”