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Ronald Wayne Van Ness, 79, of Melbourne, FL, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at Atrium Health Northeast Medical Center in Concord, NC.
He was born February 25, 1940 in Convington, VA to the late Walter Van Ness and Margaret Bush Van Ness Bryant. Ronald proudly served in the United States Air Force and worked as a Traffic Engineer for the city of Melbourne.
In his spare time he enjoyed air-boating, race cars and was an amazing dancer. Ronald was an avid softball player, an awarded professional bass fisherman and a SASS gun club member. He loved to make people laugh and was known as being a jokester.
In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Vanness; and his beloved, Bailey.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Walshaw Van Ness; son, Kevin W. Vanness (Amy) of Winter Springs, FL; daughter, Lori Van Ness-Guidotti (Rich) of Dallas, TX; step-son, Stephen McCain (Ramona) of Merritt Island, FL; granddaughter, Kiley Vanness; sister, Peg Bryant (Harrison Reynolds) of Lincoln, VT; brother, Butch Bryant (Mary Beth) of Vale, AZ; sister-in-law, Monte Vanness of Falls Church, VA; and numerous cats.
There will be a Celebration of Life held in Melbourne, FL at a later date with Ronald’s final resting place being at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Carolina Cremation is assisting the Van Ness family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Denny Carrico says
RIP our dear friend. We so enjoyed Ron’s humor and his engaging personality with everyone he met during his life. He was our hero, playing quarterback for McLean High School and winning so many dance contests during his teenage years. Kenny Shifflett and I spent time with Ronnie and wonderful wife Mary in Melbourne over the years. He loved his family and home in Florida. We will miss our friend so very much. May God bless him and his family.
Charles and Nancy Guidotti says
To the Van Ness family, especially his wife Mary and daughter Lori, we want
to add our heartfelt condolences and sympathy for their loss. We never met
Ron but know of him thru our wonderful daughter in law Lori. Lori always
said that from her dad she got her competitive spirit, her love of sports,
especially her Gators, and the peace and tranquility that she felt when
fishing. We hope that wherever Ron is that there are flowing streams,
crystal clear lakes, and smooth seas and that he forever rest in peace.
Butch & Mary Beth says
Oh, my brother, we are so sorry to see you go. You made us laugh, you worried us, but you were always up for a good time. We’re so glad you got to visit us in Arizona and see Tombstone (where you should have been born 100 years ago). You would have made a fantastic cowboy. I hope you finally get to meet your hero, John Wayne. I miss you so much already, but know you’re no longer in pain, and you can probably HEAR again! We love you, Man! Until we meet again,
Brother Butch Bryant & Mary Beth Parker
Ron Cherven says
To Mary and all of Ron’s family, my deep regret for the loss of your Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Friend. He will be missed by us all. There are never any words other than “Time” that will help ease our pain from the loss of a loved one. While it is a tragedy to family and friends, it is mildly comforting to know he is no longer in pain and no longer suffering. Please believe me when I say, I understand how hard it has been for you to watch him slowly lose the ability to do the things he truly loved, to see him shed some of his beloved toys because, he could no longer physically use them. While it brought him down a little from time to time, I respected that he’d never dwell on his pain and suffering around friends. When asked “How you feeling today Ron?” He might tell you that “Getting old is not for cry babies!” or “Well, its not as bad as a stick in the eye!” and then without taking a breath ask you, “So, have ya been fishing lately?” Ron was truly adventuress, loved the outdoors, and loved sharing the humor of any situation. He was generous to a fault and was a good friend. While I will miss his physical presence, I know Ron, and my Dad, will be right there in the boat with me whenever I go fishing. Rest In Peace My Friend.
Karen says
Be at rest cuz! Your cowboy hat still has a special place in my heart and home in the UK. I will forever treasure the memories. Xxx
JoAnne/Dr Atkins office says
We are all very shocked to hear of the loss of our very special patient & friend. He was always so kind and friendly and yes a jokster. We always looked forward to his visits-because he alway’s made us smile and laugh. He will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace our friend.
Louella (Peg) Bryant says
Dear Ron ~ You taught me to dance (remember the Sugarfoot?), and you jitterbugged with me at my wedding reception. I was so proud to watch you dance on the Milt Grant Show and win contests in DC and Northern VA. You taught me how to throw a football with a perfect spiral, how to drive (don’t jerk the steering wheel), and how to change the oil (I didn’t mind getting messy). You had band practices in our little living room and filled the hallway with fragrant steam on Saturday evenings as you got ready to go out, your ducktails combed into place, the buckle of your narrow belt pulled to the side, your loafers embedded with shiny pennies. Later, there were catfish fries, airboat rides, scary rides in your fast cars, and fishing off the dock at your home in Florida. You were Mom’s favorite, cared for her as she aged, and sat with me at her bedside as she lay dying. You taught me that life is to be lived fully, every minute, and that to feel the depths of grief, you must first experience the heights of love. You had strong opinions, many of which conflicted with my own, and you never wavered in your patriotism. It was painful to see you suffer with the evil Meniere’s disease and a weakening heart, but my memories of your youth and vigor will never dim. Rest in peace and love, brother.
Sherry Palmer says
My deepest sympathy to your family, Ellie. Ron sounds like he was a wonderful brother. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead. My prayers are with you.
Tom Cameron says
I’ll not say goodbye…just until we meet again. I know that you have gone on ahead of us to mark all the good fishing spots on the Lakes of Heaven. We will miss your jokes and laughter. You could find something good in everything…no matter what life threw your way. The day will come when we will be fishing together again and having some good fried catfish to eat. Until then … I’ll keep smiling and thinking about all our times together here on earth. RIP my good friend!