Ronald S. Medlin

Ronald Medlin, 92, passed away quietly in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, on February 10th. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ronald lived a long and full life marked by curiosity, warmth, and a genuine love of people.

He graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn in 1951, where he began developing the work ethic and people skills that would later define his life. In the late 1950's, Ronald proudly served in the United States Army, 10th Mountain Division, in postwar Germany. It was a chapter of his life defined by duty, honor, and enduring gratitude for having served his nation seventy years ago.

After his stint in the military, he worked in the toy department of Abraham and Strauss in downtown Brooklyn, which he always reflected upon with great fondness. In 1966, he and his father purchased a Chicken Delight (later Chicken Galore) franchise in Brooklyn, and Ronald became the owner/operator of the take-out restaurant upon his parents' retirement in 1970. In many ways, his connection to his business became his identity, and truly reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and love of good food and conversation. For 30 years, he was known not just as a businessman, but as someone who truly enjoyed connecting with customers, neighborhood people and friends alike.

In his personal life, Ronald found joy in model trains, tropical aquaria, his parrot Wacko, building birdhouses, cruising, and dining out. He loved baseball his entire life, first as a childhood fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, then briefly as a Milwaukee Braves fan after the Dodgers moved west . Ronald began rooting for the Mets at their 1962 inception, and his support for them never wavered. He was also a big fan of the Miami Hurricanes and delighted in flying to see the Canes play at Syracuse, Boston College, and the 1993 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Despite being decidedly from the old-school, he embraced some technology with enthusiasm. Realizing that he could get answers to his many and diverse questions from the palm of his hand, he took a liking to his iPhone, first using it to "punch things up", then ordering Siri to do it. Ronald was also a QVC devotee who knew their inventory as well as the program hosts and promoted many of their items with even greater passion.

Ronald was predeceased by his beloved wife, Miriam Medlin, in 2020. He is survived by his devoted sons, Steven Medlin and Jay Medlin, and his cherished grandchildren Bailey, Taylor, Kylie, and Cristina, who brought him great pride and joy.

Ronald will be remembered most for his curiosity, warmth, and genuine interest in others—qualities that made everyone feel heard and valued in his presence. His life was defined not by grand gestures, but by everyday kindness, curiosity, and connection—gifts he shared freely, and left behind as his legacy.

A private memorial will be held. Those wishing to honor Ronald's memory may donate to the Associated Humane Societies of Tinton Falls at https://ahs.givecloud.co/tribute