Update on Ol' Ron

[Ol' Ron]

I'm Ron's daughter-in-law. I've written two posts about our situation. He's still Kicking, and all the grandkids are coming up this week to visit.

You know Ron well enough to know that for him humor is not too far from tragedy. We've been telling stories that keep us from tears. And sometimes, as he dreams, Ron's breathing is laughter.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself chuckling.

The second post is about you all. If you can only read one, do that one. Ryan, I hope you permit me to quote you. Has anyone told you you're a poet?

https://open.substack.com/pub/rutheh...droid&r=1ry0o1

https://open.substack.com/pub/rutheh...droid&r=1ry0o1

[Fordors]

Thank you Ruth, I wish everyone could have a daughter-in-law like you.
God bless you and may He give Ron peace in his final days.

[tubman]

Thank you for all you have done.

I'm sure it is greatly appreciated here.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by tubman

Thank you for all you have done.

I'm sure it is greatly appreciated here.

X3. Thank you, Ruth.

[Ronnieroadster]

Ruth your update is greatly appreciated. Ron is so lucky to have you and the family to help guide him on his final journey. Understanding that Ron's legacy will go on forever since his guidance to all of us on the Ford flathead will continue as we help guide others from the teaching Ron has given us. He will be missed.
Ronnieroadster

[1952henry]

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God bless you all as you approach his last moments. Having been through this with both of my parents, it isn’t easy. What makes it bearable is knowing where they are going. Good to know he has loved ones around him.

[32phil]

Thank You Ruth for your kindness.
Just knowing how Ron is doing is great comfort.

[40cpe]

Ruth sounds to me like someone everybody needs in their life. Ron is very fortunate.

[old guy rich]

Thank you Ruth very much.

[AnthonyG]

Thank you Ruth! Please know Ron, you & the rest of Ron’s family are in our thoughts & prayers! God bless you all!

[Ggmac]

Thank you . We have never met but Ron has seriously made an impression on me and my cars . Thank you and God Bless .

[ScubaChief60]

As Ggmac just said... and I agree... 'God bless'.

[KiWinUS]

Thank you for your updates on the Legend.

[glennpm]

Thanks Ruth for informing us with a great story about a great man. It's wonderful to be able to tell how much Ron means to us in his last days.

Glenn

[solidaxle]

I always wanted to meet Ron in person. Last summer I PM'd Ron and told him I live an hour and a half away and would he sign my copy of his book. He said stop in. Well I never got the chance. Ruth, I think I can speak for all of us here that we appreciate you keeping us posted. Ron was highly respected around here, so much so that sometimes his spelling wasn't 100%, but nobody ever corrected him.
I hope you and your family can find some comfort during this time, knowing he is admired by all on the Barn. 'God Bless'

[pistonbroke]

Thank you Ruth, That post brought tears to my face before I was half was throught it. Tim

[Don W/Norfolk]

Ruth,
Compared to you, Ryan doesn't stand a chance as a poet.
You easily convey all our thoughts without having to say them.
Thank you, very much for taking care of Ron and please convey our sincere love to him.
dw

[Bored&Stroked]

Thank you, Ruth, for taking the time to reach out and help us take a bit of Ron's last walk with you.

As you know, he has been a fixture here as long as I've been on this site (my case, about 20 years). He will be greatly missed and THANKS for being a wonderful daughter in-law to him - he is blessed by you and you by him!

Godspeed Ron . . . and please confirm that there are no valve covers in Heaven!

[flatford8]

Ruth……you’ve earned your wings….God Bless You……tell ’Ol Ron we’ll all see him at the track……Mark

[jimvette59]

Thank you Ruth, may the grace of GOD be with Ol' RON.

[Ray Balukas]

Thank you Ruth. I always enjoyed Ol'Rons{Gramps} post's of great Knowledge here on the Barn. Although I never met Him I know I will someday. God Bless you, Ol Ron{Gramps}. God Bless you Ruth and your Family.

[VeryTangled]

Ron is in my avatar and has been for many years. Contemplating...

[Als48]

Thanks Ruth, for the update on Ron, as well as sharing your blog writings. Your blogs remind me of those of my sister, who is an artist as well as a PhD in literature. Thanks, especially for caring for Ron at this point in his life. I never met Ron but feel as if I know him through his writings on the FordBarn. We'll miss his insightful input.

Wishing the best to you and yours, especially for Ron as he makes the transition.

Al Hook

[Ol' Ron]

Gentlemen, Ron is gone. He went peacefully.

Now he belongs to the ages.

With love,
Ruth

[1952henry]

My sympathy to you and the rest of his family.

[VeryTangled]

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Tipping my cap and my cup.

[Bored&Stroked]

Thank You Ruth . . . lots of love right back at you and your family from all the Ford Barners who were brothers to Ron!

[Zeke3]

My condolences, may he Rest in Peace.

[Kens 36]

RIP Gramps.

[34fordy]

Having never met Ol' Ron but he made me feel like one of "his boys." I love looking at the pictures posted and especially the video! He just made me feel good. Now it's just a big lump in my throat. He was the kind of guy that does that to you when you realize he will only be with us in spirit. I plan to make it a point to go back and read all of his posts if I get to hang around for nearly all nine thousand of them. What a generous man he was!!!!

[FlatTopFreddie]

RIP Ol’Ron … Look forward to seeing you on the other side..

God’s Blessings to the family….

[Strick]

Godspeed Ol’ Ron. Thanks for all of your knowledge and many contributions on the Barn!

[4tford]

Thank you Ruth for the update and for takeing care of my old friend. Many years ago when I first joined Fordbarn, Ron, was the man who stepped up to teach me flatheads. Countless emails and a few phone calls he was able to bang some knowledge into my head. 100 plus motors later I think of him often. He is a Man among men and will not be forgotten.

[alt63bird]

From those of us who absorbed what Ol'Ron had to say but didn't have the opportunity to interact or say 'thanks' for sharing what he knew, condolences and prayers on his passing. From reading Ruth's posts, it reminds me of all the folks older than myself that have moved on in the nearly 50 years since I began taking an interest in old Fords as a teenager - the stories they had or the passion they shared for something that signified a touchstone from their youth. Every person has a story to tell, and some could really tell a story - Ol' Ron was one of those. Godspeed, sir.

[Darrell S]

RIP Ol' Ron.

[Newc]

We lose their Knowledge, same problem with our local RGs 9, 10 and 85 in Oregon. RIP Newc

[GB SISSON]

Ol' Ron, I feel like I knew you. And I learned much about using and re-using old Ford parts to keep them on the road. So much knowledge passed on to so many. Mission accomplished... And by a darn good man. Thank You.

[Mart]

Thanks Ruth. God bless the old man. His influence spread beyond the shores and he was respected by all flathead nuts irrespective of location. Mart in England.

[STEVE O]

May God bless everyone. Ron's race is won and with the knowledge he gave, his flathead will continue to win! Steve

[deuce lover]

RIP Ron.

[38 coupe]

Thank you for the support you gave Ron, for the graceful way you let us know. RIP Ron, he will be missed.

[KDL]

RIP Ron. I will miss your unique way of sharing your vast knowledge with the rest of us.

[Ray Balukas]

RIP Sir!

[solidaxle]

Sorry for your loss.

[Pete/Ct.]

Rest in peace Ron. God speed. See you on the flip side.

[mfirth]

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Yes, R I P Ron, and God bless you Ruth and family. We all know he will be greatly missed !
Mike

[V8 Bob]

Rest in peace Ron.

[sidevalve8ba]

You will be missed, Ron. RIP.

[41ford1]

Rest in peace Ol' Ron.

Thank you Ruth for keeping us updated.

These pictures are from my and TomT's visit in 2016.

[Ron_r1959]

I had the privilege of messaging Ron a few years back and eventually I called him on the phone 5-6 times for a hour so at a time. I always enjoyed talking to him on the phone, he would share all kind of things about things he had done in the past from building all kind of cars and trucks with flatheads and even flathead motors for a boat lol. He shared about the racing days and rubbing shoulders with Smokey Unick at the track, I was amazed at how sharp he was still , he reminds me of my own dad. He shared stories of his stockcar days, days in the military, about the time period you called his dark days and his family and about things I was doing to my truck and motor. One particular call, I was able to get my dad on with him in the last year who is 85 and a flat head guy and they got to do a little shop talk.
Last summer he sent me a intake manifold that he had built for a stock car that he raced I think maybe in the 60's possibly? I tried to buy it or a at least pay the shipping but he wouldn't hear of it, I got it about a week before the event I was using it for and it was quite a challenge getting it fitted on the motor at the event, it was taller and I needed longer bolts and a longer pump rod, and belt for the generator, things i had at home but not a hundred miles away LOL. It was a typical last minute thing since I hadn't time to try it before the event, but we got it on and give it a try. He said he liked the idea that something he built special himself was still out there and being used. he told me he had learned one thing in life about trying new things- If you don't try something new, how are you ever going to learn anything about it , and secondly learn from it and keep trying to improve on it. He said he was still learning things about the flathead motor and he loved that about them. I think he knew he was closing in on the end, when he sent it to me truthfully from things he said. Ruth , he did tell me about you taking him places that he appreciated so much and about his grandson that helped him on his computer and his son and family. I know he treasured that so much. I wished I had made it out to see him I had planned to do that but A piece of him is on my old flathead ford and racing down the highway and up a hill in IL. I am grateful to have talked to him the last few year, and my prayers are with you guys the next few months adjusting to this loss , my dad like him is still working on the old cars but he is slowing down and his own congestive heart failure is taking its toll on his energy, he says things now like, this is probably my last project, and we are trying to treasure this time period. My prayers go out to you and your family, thank you for posting this I had been wondering about him Ron

[51504bat]

RIP Ol'Ron and God speed

[FortyNiner]

Ruth, we should be so blessed to have someone like you at our finish lines. Ron was beloved.

[wamnram]

Rest in peace Ol 'Ron, So sorry to know you are not with us anymore. Bless you Ruth for keeping us updated.

[petehoovie]

[flatford8]

Ruth….thanks so much for sharing his last days with us…..RIP ‘Ol Ron….you got the checkered flag!………Mark from Maine……����

[scicala]

RIP Ron.
The flatheads in heaven will soon be running strong.

Sal

[nickthebandit]

I am not a flathead person, but I always paid attention to what Ron had to say. We will all miss him dearly. Ron, thanks for your knowledge, and sharing it with us.

[4tford]

Rip old friend, you were always number one in my eyes.

[Ronnieroadster]

Gods Speed Ron one of the great ones is now watching over us all.

[Lawson Cox]

I never met O'le Ron, but I learned a lot from his posts over the years and wish I had had an opportunity to meet him. It won't be long before I'll finally have that opportunity. See you shortly, Ron. Lawson

[Gene1949]

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I never met O'le Ron, but I learned a lot from his posts over the years and wish I had had an opportunity to meet him. It won't be long before I'll finally have that opportunity. See you shortly, Ron. Lawson

Hopefully when he went to the Pearly Gates he slid in sideways and loudly proclaimed, "WHAT A KICKASS RIDE"

BTW, what a great sentiment, thank you. He set a very high bar in our hobby. Most of us will be following him in the next decade or less.

[Seth Swoboda]

Thanks for keeping us updated Ruth. Ron shared a huge amount of flathead knowledge with us and for that we are grateful. He has helped us all.


Gentlemen share your knowledge with whoever will listen. Pass the torch as Ron did. As Hank Williams said, "I ain't getting out of this world alive".

[highbeams]

So sorry to hear this. My condolences to the Family.

[Ziggster]

My condolences to his family.

[Tim Ayers]

I'm saddened to hear this. I take solace that he went peacefully. I hope he rests in peace and keepin' 'um runnin' (as he'd say) in that big race in the sky. Thanks, Ron for all of the knowledge you've shared through the years and thank you Ruth for letting us know.

[Donaldoster]

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So sorry to hear that Ron finally crossed the finish line. I'm so glad i got to visit and briefly talk to him a few days ago. You and Robo took such good care of him during his last days.
He has left his family with with so many good times to reflect on. I have May 3rd earmarked in my callander. will see you soon,Don

[burly]

Ruth, we appreciate you taking the time to keep us abreast of the condition of our old friend and allowing us to share in your grief.

[Bob/Pa]

AMEN RIP, See you soon!

[Brendan]

Godspeed Ron! i allways liked your Posts, and your Videos. i never had a chance to meet Ron, He seemd like a good guy. Sorry for your loss Ruth and Famly

[ford38v8]

Rest in Peace, Ron... Ruth, We're very sorry for your loss, and we thank you for including us in your bereavement.

[deuce5wndw]

RIP Ron!

[Bob/Ohio]

Sorry to hear the news about Ron. He will be greatly missed here.

Bob

[TomT/Williamsburg]

So sorry to hear the news - my condolences to the family and may he rest in peace ……

[A bones]

May you find peace in knowing that He led a life of positive action.
What ever he wanted to achieve he did.
We'll all miss seeing his smiling avatar.

[Mike in Mass]

RIP, Ol Ron . We are all going to miss you .

[1oldtimer]

I rarely post on stuff like this, but Ron WILL be sorely missed here by ALL.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

A very sad sad day indeed; condolences to Ruth and the Family.


Having been on the Barn since the 90s, I literally soaked up everything Ron had to say about Flatheads. A teacher from across the pond.


It's because of him that I was infected with the Flathead bug.


God speed Sir, I'll miss your posts, knowledge and humour on here.


Respect.


RIP.

[hotrodA]

Another library has gone away. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a wealth of knowledge, and his posts were a must read.

May God comfort the family and fill the emptiness in your hearts with His love.

[Thor]

Ruth, please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. Ron was an amazing man that impacted people all around the world. He has left a lasting legacy here on the Ford Barn, and also in the hearts and minds of everyone that Ron touched in some way.


We grieve with you in our mutual loss, but we also rejoice, because our hearts are full with memories of Ron.


Godspeed Ol' Ron! I will look for you one day on the other side!


Steve

[Cecil/WV]

Well, we are all getting closer! He was a fine fellow!

[Cecil/WV]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

Ron is in my avatar and has been for many years. Contemplating...

Hi Jeff, we miss you!

[old guy rich]

So very sorry, my condolences and prayers.

[barnfind]

Ron was an mazing source of knowledge - may he Rest in Peace

[twostickmutt]

RIP Gramps

[flathead48]

My sincere condolences to his family, rest in peace Ron.

[APDAVE]

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You have My condolences, He was a great Guy! Dave

[expavr]

Ruth

The role of a caregiver is difficult at best, but at the end can weigh heavily on the soul. God Bless for your presence there with "gramps" I'm confident he was well cared for and at peace.

[pistonbroke]

Ruth, My condolences, and A prayer for Ron. The only guy here on the barn that made as many typoes as me. He will be missed . Tim

[kirkf]

Ron was valued member of the Ford V8 community and will be sorely missed.
May he rest in peace.

Kirk

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Haven't posted for a while so sorry to read this. Condolences to Ron's family. Legend.

Graeme Burr

[green50]

RIP Ol' Ron

[Dec211975]

RIP Ron. I always found his comments enlightening and wished I could have meet him.

[panhead_pete]

Our sincere condolences from Japan Ruth, all the best in these trying times.

[torpedo]

Always enjoyed reading Ol'Ron's posts even with the typos !and learned a lot from him
RIP
Max from France

[Benson]

RIP Ol' Ron

[AZMerc39]

I am new to the forum and hope to learn a lot from his old posts. I hope you and your family had a few more amazing moments together. R.I.P. Ron. My condolences to you and the family.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thank you, Ruth - I am taking care of my 101 year old Dad now - so far so good but I can see him fading slow but sure. You are the angel on earth guiding him home …..

[Scott52]

My 101 year old Mother in Law lives with us. She has slowed a little on her chores, needs to rest while when sweeping the hardwood floors. We finally got her to stop taking the dirty dishes out of the dishwasher and washing them by hand. Relatively clear headed, forgets things that just happened. That's already happening to me to hear my wife tell it. In fact I search questions every so often and find I've already asked it. I miss Ron's comments too. I have fixed a few old car things in my day but really can't remember the details like Ron and a lot on here. Thanks Ron and all who contribute.

[19Fordy]

Ruth, Thank You for being Ron's angel. He will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss.
JIM

[pavilla]

I'm a relative newcomer, cruising these forums for a little over a year, but my attention is always drawn to posts with Ron's avatar. I've gained a lot of knowledge from him and more than a few laughs. He'll be missed.

[Roger/Sacramento]

About 12 years ago I called Ron after hearing his liking for an L100 cam. He sent me one to go in the late block that I was building. The engine has 3-97's, Offie heads and a crab ignition. Have driven my 41 Pickup for 5,000 miles so far and it runs fine. Thanks Ron.