Ronald Ambrose Carron, aged 86, passed away on October 27, 2024, in Kennedale, TX. He dedicated his life to serving God and others.
Ron was born in Bloomsdale, MO on October 31,1937 to Edwin and Pauline Jerca Carron. He was the sixth of ten siblings with 4 brothers and 5 sisters. He told great stories about growing up on the farm and really enjoyed reminiscing with his siblings whenever they got together. He and his brother Hugh made a pet of every animal they could, including a baby deer named Pete. When his oldest brother Paul earned his pilot’s license and brought a Piper J-3 Cub airplane home to the farm, Ron’s life changed. He and his brothers built a landing strip on the farm and Paul taught them all to fly, starting a legacy of careers in aviation for 4 of the 5 boys.
With encouragement from his brother-in-law Jack, Ron went to work as an airplane mechanic. Paul encouraged him to get his A&P license to provide greater opportunities. That advice paid off as he ended up as the only A&P mechanic in the hangar and was named chief inspector. That role opened the door for him to be sent to Milwaukee, WI to work on a Convair 240. While there, he was given the opportunity to continue his pilot training while maintaining the airplane. When a pilot vacancy became available, he was asked to move from maintenance to pilot of the Convair. He began to fly with Lee Snow, a veteran pilot and even better friend. Above all, Ron credits his flying ability to Lee who took a chance on him and taught him so much. Lee’s trust in Ron gave him the confidence to excel.
In 1969, Ron moved to Fort Worth, TX and went to work for Champlain Petroleum where he was the captain on a Falcon 20 and King Air 100 and 200. He left there to run the aviation department for Fortson Oil Company, where he facilitated the purchase of a Gulfstream II that he thoroughly enjoyed flying. In the 13 years flying for the Fortson family, he spent time in California with his brothers Hugh and Paul, golfing, and at the Fortson family ranch. When they sold the plane, Ron became an instructor for CAE Simuflite on the Gulfstream II, IV, and V until he retired in 2008. He always said that he didn’t have a plan but God took care of him and provided him with an amazing career that he really enjoyed.
A man of faith, Ron’s three children attended St. Andrew’s Catholic School and Nolan Catholic High School. He was honored to have received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Paul VI for being one of the original Eucharistic ministers at St. Andrew, and the family enjoyed taking communion to homebound parishioners on Sundays after mass for many years.
Ron was an active member of the Knights of Columbus throughout his life, being instrumental in starting a soccer complex and league in Fort Worth, playing softball, and supporting the community. He coached all of his kids in soccer at various times and, despite being a pilot, never missed important events.
When he retired, he believed that God had other things for him to do. He attended daily Mass, weekly adoration, and volunteered in ministries at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Ron was an active volunteer during Youth 2000 retreats and every week at St. Peter’s Food Bank. Ron’s hobbies also reflected his deep Catholic faith. He enjoyed leatherworking and rosary making, making numerous book covers for the Magnificat as well as repairing rosaries for anyone who brought them to him. He was generous with his time, always supporting his many grandchildren’s activities. At weekly family gatherings over the years, Ron always sat in the middle of the grandkids for meals, saying that was how he knew what was happening in the family and where the best conversations were to be had.
Ron is survived by his wife of 61 years who was the love of his life, Marilyn, his 3 children, Leslie (Doug) Heidt, Gina (Rob) Emrich, and Dale (Michele) Carron, his 12 grandchildren Katherine, Jenny (Nathan), Mary, Mac (Emily), Gracie, Sarah, Rachel (Peter), Charlie, Annie, Drew, Hunter, Leah, and 1 great-grandson George. He is survived by his siblings Betty Ritter, Dennis (Betty Jane) Carron, Jack Bergtholdt, and Tom Packard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Pauline, and his siblings, Paul, Rita, Mil (Glen), Hugh (Rae), Mary Ann (Don), Ginny, and Dick.
A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Ron’s life will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Fort Worth on Monday, November 4th at 10:00 a.m. A reception lunch will follow at St. Peter’s. There will be a Viewing and Rosary at Wade Funeral Home and Crematory in Arlington on Sunday, November 3rd from 6-8 p.m.
Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Peter's: http://svdpwstx.com/
Sunday, November 3, 2024
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
4140 W Pioneer Pkwy
Monday, November 4, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church
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