James "Ron" Ronald Mecklin

James Ronald Mecklin “Ron”, age 94, died peacefully at Riddle Hospital on January 15, 2026.  He leaves behind a legacy of two children, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

Born and raised in Marfa, TX, Ron was the son of Hyacinth and James H. Mecklin.  He graduated from Marfa High School and studied at Texas A&M College graduating with the class of 1953.  After college, Ron served in the US Air Force as a helicopter pilot for seven years where he flew various missions.  He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

In 1956, Ron married Sally Travis and the two eventually settled in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  Ron began a lengthy career at Boeing working as an experimental test pilot.  While a test pilot, Ron made numerous trips overseas where he made lifelong friends and had lots of stories to tell.  Some of the places he went to were England, Spain, China, Tibet, and South Korea.  He was also on numerous flight magazine covers and received abundant awards.  Sally and Ron raised their two children in Springfield before moving to Media.  Saleigh preceded Ron in death in 1998 after 42 years of marriage.

Ron was a longtime member and an active volunteer at Christ Church in Media.  He enjoyed his friends from the church, Bible Study, and giving communion to shut ins.  He was very active at Fox Hill Farms where he sang, played shuffleboard, and went to a lot of coffee hours at the Clubhouse.   He loved to watch football, baseball and golf, and he frequently met up with old work colleagues and friends for meals.  Ron was an all around helpful and friendly gentleman. He was always willing to help out friends and family.  Ron was blessed to find love again in later years.  He spent nineteen years with his wife, Ruth, who preceded him in death in 2022. Ron will be remembered fondly by his loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as a loving, generous, sweet person with a big heart. 

Ron is survived by his children C’Les Dee Mecklin of Stroudsburg, PA and Rone Del Galeone of York, PA; grandchildren Nina Adamczyk, Floyd Beach Palmer, Aimie Rebecca Lane and Stephen James Young; and great-grandchildren Timothy, Daniel, William, Bailey, Harlie, Lillie, Lucas, Savannah-Jo, Tyler and Sawyer.  He is also survived by his brother, Donald Mecklin, of Mountain Home, Idaho.

Ron’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Christ Church in Media.  Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 with Mass beginning at 10:30 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 311 S. Orange Street, Media, PA 19063.