1942
Mr.
2017
Mr. Ronald Christopher
June 8, 1942 — June 28, 2017
Ronald Wayne Christopher, of Brandon, Mississippi, born June 8, 1942, in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, to James Edwin Christopher and Florence Mae Breakiron Christopher, died June 28, 2017, at seventy-five years old. He entered Heaven’s gates after a lengthy illness under exceptional care at Baptist Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
Ron, as he was known to most, was a man of character. He lived his life to the fullest, serving others and loving his neighbors.
Ron grew up in the coalmining town of Fairchance, where he was a boy scout riding bicycles and climbing mountains. In 1960, just before his 18th birthday, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While on active duty, Ron traveled the world and completed his service as a P-3 Aircraft Flight Engineer in several Patrol Squadrons, as well as a tour on the U.S.S. Eisenhower, as part of VS Squadron 28. He received a fleet reserves appointment after 22 years, having achieved the ranking of Master Chief Petty Officer.
Following his Navy career, he completed his Bachelor’s and later Master’s degrees and worked as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy Air Station Mayport (Florida) and later retired as Chief of Finance at the Veterans Affairs Administrative Office in Jackson, Mississippi.
While not working to serve his country and provide for his family, Ron participated in the Lions Club and the leadership of Pinelake Baptist Church where he was an Elder. After his retirement, along with his daily swims at the YMCA, he was elected District Governor 30-I for the Mississippi Lions Club and worked in the care center every Tuesday at the Reservoir Campus of Pinelake.
Though a servant and leader, Ron was also a loving son, affectionate brother, faithful husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather and true friend.
Ron is survived by his wife, Dolores Ann Barrera Christopher of 43 years; Max Wayne Christopher and his wife Teresa Wilmoth Christopher of Melbourne, Florida; Sherri Lee Antun and her son Shane Matthew Antun of Melbourne, Florida; Robert Allen Christopher with his wife Roberta Lynn Christopher and children Kelsey Lorin Ohman, Dylan Elisha Christopher and Samantha Hope Vallish of Fleming Island, Florida; Catherine Ann Foster and her husband Frank Porter Foster III and son Derek Christopher Foster of Brandon, Mississippi and his youngest son, Ronald James Christopher of Boca Raton, Florida; along with, in-laws Charles and Diana Meisenheimer, their families; Jerry Barrera and his children; and nephews Robert Stine and Richard Stine and their families. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Nancy Lee Stine and her husband, Harry.
Ron’s family will remember fishing trips, soccer games, many KOA campgrounds, using a hammer or paintbrush, trips down the aisle, forgiveness after car accidents and other reckless mistakes, driving from Florida to Pennsylvania in an orange and white camper, prayers around the dinner table, and the security of his love.
Ron’s friends will remember him having coffee at the YMCA, rising early to sit in a deer stand, growing tomato plants taller than the house, traveling 46 days by RV to Alaska and selling blocks of cheese to raise money for the Lions Club.
Final Arrangements for Ron Christopher include visitation for his family and friends at Ott & Lee Brandon on Sunday, July 2, 2017 from 4pm until 7 pm. A brief visitation will also be held on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 9 am at Pinelake Baptist Church reservoir campus, followed by a Celebration of Life service that will begin at 10 am. Burial will immediately follow at Lakeland Place. Rev. Jeff Holland will Officiate the Services and pallbears will be Joe Bretton, Rick Lacey, Doug Mitchell, Bill Regan, Dr. Bill Sullivan and John Van Denman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s memory to: MS Lions Sight Foundation, 431 Katherine Dr, Flowood, MS 39232.
Ron, as he was known to most, was a man of character. He lived his life to the fullest, serving others and loving his neighbors.
Ron grew up in the coalmining town of Fairchance, where he was a boy scout riding bicycles and climbing mountains. In 1960, just before his 18th birthday, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While on active duty, Ron traveled the world and completed his service as a P-3 Aircraft Flight Engineer in several Patrol Squadrons, as well as a tour on the U.S.S. Eisenhower, as part of VS Squadron 28. He received a fleet reserves appointment after 22 years, having achieved the ranking of Master Chief Petty Officer.
Following his Navy career, he completed his Bachelor’s and later Master’s degrees and worked as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy Air Station Mayport (Florida) and later retired as Chief of Finance at the Veterans Affairs Administrative Office in Jackson, Mississippi.
While not working to serve his country and provide for his family, Ron participated in the Lions Club and the leadership of Pinelake Baptist Church where he was an Elder. After his retirement, along with his daily swims at the YMCA, he was elected District Governor 30-I for the Mississippi Lions Club and worked in the care center every Tuesday at the Reservoir Campus of Pinelake.
Though a servant and leader, Ron was also a loving son, affectionate brother, faithful husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather and true friend.
Ron is survived by his wife, Dolores Ann Barrera Christopher of 43 years; Max Wayne Christopher and his wife Teresa Wilmoth Christopher of Melbourne, Florida; Sherri Lee Antun and her son Shane Matthew Antun of Melbourne, Florida; Robert Allen Christopher with his wife Roberta Lynn Christopher and children Kelsey Lorin Ohman, Dylan Elisha Christopher and Samantha Hope Vallish of Fleming Island, Florida; Catherine Ann Foster and her husband Frank Porter Foster III and son Derek Christopher Foster of Brandon, Mississippi and his youngest son, Ronald James Christopher of Boca Raton, Florida; along with, in-laws Charles and Diana Meisenheimer, their families; Jerry Barrera and his children; and nephews Robert Stine and Richard Stine and their families. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Nancy Lee Stine and her husband, Harry.
Ron’s family will remember fishing trips, soccer games, many KOA campgrounds, using a hammer or paintbrush, trips down the aisle, forgiveness after car accidents and other reckless mistakes, driving from Florida to Pennsylvania in an orange and white camper, prayers around the dinner table, and the security of his love.
Ron’s friends will remember him having coffee at the YMCA, rising early to sit in a deer stand, growing tomato plants taller than the house, traveling 46 days by RV to Alaska and selling blocks of cheese to raise money for the Lions Club.
Final Arrangements for Ron Christopher include visitation for his family and friends at Ott & Lee Brandon on Sunday, July 2, 2017 from 4pm until 7 pm. A brief visitation will also be held on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 9 am at Pinelake Baptist Church reservoir campus, followed by a Celebration of Life service that will begin at 10 am. Burial will immediately follow at Lakeland Place. Rev. Jeff Holland will Officiate the Services and pallbears will be Joe Bretton, Rick Lacey, Doug Mitchell, Bill Regan, Dr. Bill Sullivan and John Van Denman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s memory to: MS Lions Sight Foundation, 431 Katherine Dr, Flowood, MS 39232.
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