Ralph Jefferson Jr.

Ralph Jefferson Jr. was born on February 23, 1950 to the union of Ralph Jefferson Sr. and Anna (Jelks) Jefferson in Pike County Alabama. He attended Sharon High School in Sharon, Pennsylvania graduating in the class of 1968 where he participated in the Marching band and the track team. Always a high achiever, he was the first winner of the George Greenburg Scholarship from the Greenburg Foundation in Sharon. He was subsequently inducted into the Sharon High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018. Ralph attended Youngstown State University located in Youngstown, OH from 1968 to 1973, graduating with a BS in Business Administration - the foundation for his entrepreneurial future. He began his career as a sales representative at Proctor and Gamble Distributing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his 18 year tenure, he worked his way up to serve as Regional Manager for the company’s Surgical Products division and was later relocated to Detroit, Michigan in 1978. Following his career with P&G, Ralph formed Jefferson Diversified Group LLC, a distribution company serving healthcare and quick-serve restaurants in Ohio and Michigan, including his first customer, McDonald’s. In 1970 while attending YSU, he met his future wife Darnell Hartley at the Red Barn restaurant in Youngstown. They later wed on June 26, 1976 and to that union two children, Brian and Lauren, were born. Ralph was a loving husband, father, and doting grandpa, always making his family a priority. Ralph was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated July 26, 1970 through the Beta Pi Chapter at Youngstown State University. He was #1 of the Dirty Dozen. After relocating to Detroit, he went on to become one of 70 Charter Members of the Southfield Alumni Chapter on July 16, 1986. Ralph was later elected the 3rd chapter Polemarch and also served as Vice Polemarch, member of the board of directors and Chairman of numerous committees. He received many awards such as “Brother of the Year”, “Gerald Cardwell Brother of the Year”, “Committee Chairman of the Year” and “Committed Member of the Year”. Ralph demonstrated his passion for building community through mentorship. He served as a mentor through Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the SKIP Program (Saving Kids of Incarcerated Parents). He served as president of the Southfield Kappa Foundation for 5 years, which raised and distributed over $400,000 to young mentees under his leadership. Ralph spearheaded the founding of The Brian H. Jefferson Memorial Endowed Scholarship in memory of his late son. Ralph took great pride in being “His Brother’s Keeper”. Often checking in on Brothers and supporting them when they were in need, visiting sick Brothers in the hospital and being an ear when a Brother just needed someone to talk to. When not engaged in Kappa and community activities, he enjoyed golfing, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, listening to and attending Jazz concerts and festivals. One of Ralph’s favorite things was connecting with friends and family. He was especially dedicated to his and Darnell’s group of friendsThe Hatters and Brims who were more like family. He was intentional about getting family together for dinners, trips, and reunions making sure that the bonds and relationships remained strong through conversations and visits. He loved spending time with his 3 grandsons David, Callen and Cade he took great pride in the title of Grandpa. He made sure that everyone knew about the accomplishments and activities of his boys! Ralph was preceded in death by his son (Brian), mother (Anna) and father (Ralph Sr.). He leaves to cherish his memory, Wife Darnell, Daughter Lauren (Chene), three grandsons (David, Callen & Cade), Sisters (Gloria & Teresa), and a host of other family members and friends.

Ralph Jefferson Jr.

February 23, 1950 - December 18, 2025