Ronald D. Bonham

1942 - 2016

Ronald D. (Ron) Bonham, 73

Selma - Ronald D. (Ron) Bonham, 73, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016 at home, where he wished to be, surrounded by family and friends, after a brief, but hard-fought battle with a vicious, aggressive liver cancer.

Born May 31, 1942, in Muncie, he was the only child of Russell D. and Carmen I. (Neel) Bonham.

Ron graduated in 1960 from his beloved Muncie Central High School, where his love for the school and accomplishments were well known. Ron was Mr. Basketball in 1960, his senior year, when he scored more than 2,000 career points. He later played for a National Championship University of Cincinnati team in 1962. Bonham played for two NBA Championship Boston Celtics teams, and also played for the Indiana Pacers.

Also, while in high school, his love for music emerged as he and some of his friends formed a group called "The Originals", which gained popularity and radio play with the songs "Bandstand Sound" and "Lend Me Your Ear".

After his basketball career, Ron became Superintendent at Prairie Creek Reservoir under Mayor Paul Cooley and remained in that position for thirty-eight years. During this time, he dedicated countless hours, holidays, after hours, anything and everything it took to make the park the best it could be for the visitors he tried very hard to please. Every year Ron was in the icy reservoir waters in March helping install piers to make sure everything was "just right".

During this time and to further his service to the citizens of Muncie and Delaware County, he ran for and served as County Commissioner for three terms. He summed up his service as "just trying to do his part in making life better for his constituents in Delaware County and to do the best he could within his power for anyone who sought his help".

Prior to, during, and after Ron's years of dedicated public service, another dedication was being formed. From the time Ron was a small boy, his father, Russell, would take him along while fishing on the White River. As time passed, not only did he instill the love of the outdoors in his son, but also to respect the living creatures and the surroundings in which they lived. As soon as Ron was old enough, he was also allowed to accompany his father hunting where he was taught the same principles.

In 1970, Ron met his future soul mate, best friend, love of his life, JJ. They married in 1973 and spent forty-three incredible years together. As time passed, their interests and passion for the outdoors and its creatures transformed to be as one. As with his father, Ron first allowed JJ to tag along with his hunt, then JJ snuck an eight-week old springer spaniel puppy home, then JJ had to train said springer spaniel to hunt for Ron, which required JJ to have a shotgun. Then, they just had to get another springer and thus the travels began. First northern Indiana pheasant, then Iowa, then in the last fifteen years, they were fortunate to experience pheasant hunting in North Dakota with its raw beauty and solitude.

During this time, they bought land east of the reservoir where their house was built, where Ron spent the rest of his life. Adjoining property was acquired, and their land was the first in Delaware County to go in to the Red Tail Conservancy, assuring it be kept in its natural state, protected forever from development.

With the help of State and Federal Wildlife programs and personal investment, Ron had two wetlands created. With the help of friends, a vision became a reality. Every day possible, Ron would take JJ and go all around the property enjoying the different ducks, geese, bullfrogs, blue herons, grebes of the water, the quail, rabbits, deer, and unspeakably beautiful wildflowers of the prairie grass fields. It was this setting that made Ron most at peace and one he held dear to his final breath. He was proud to be called a conservationist, and his dedication and presence will be sorely missed.

Mr. Bonham was a member of the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, the Sportsman's Alliance, the Izaak Walton League of America, and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Left to grieve his loss immeasurably and cherish their life together is his soul mate, best friend, hunting partner and wife, JJ (Jarnagin) Bonham; his beloved daughter, Dr. Nicole (Bonham) Sims, of which he was so proud; his son-in-law, John Sims; and his cherished grandson, Liam Avery, whom he was so looking forward to teaching to hunt and fish like his father showed him. Also left behind are his two springer spaniels, Lakota and Bizmark, who will not understand when hunting season rolls around why Poppy's not here to take them.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016 at Muncie Central High School Fieldhouse, with Pastor Allie Craycraft officiating.

Friends may call at the Muncie Central High School Fieldhouse, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016. Please use the West side entrance of the Muncie Central Fieldhouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Services of East Central Indiana-Little Red Door, 2311 W. Jackson St., Muncie, IN 47303, Animal Rescue Fund (A.R.F.), 1209 W. Riggin Rd., Muncie, IN 47303, or I.C.E. League, www.iceleague.org/give.

With deep appreciation, the Bonham family would like to extend our gratitude to our friends, who's support helped guide us through this difficult time. Also, thank you to our wonderful medical team: Dr. John Peterson, Dr. John Minturn and Sandy of Midwest Eye Institute, Indianapolis, Dr. Bilal Siddiqui, Community Cancer Care and staff, Anderson, I.U. Homecare, I.U. Health Hospice and all of their kind, compassionate nurses.

Finally, special thanks to "The Village"- Steve, Deb, Tim, and Kathy, who, without you, Ron's wishes for his final journey could not have been fulfilled.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com