Ronald Lee Tetrick

1945 - 2024

Ronald Lee Tetrick was born January 9, 1945, the son of Everett W. Tetrick and Mary W. (Hix) Tetrick. He went to his Lord September 2, 2024, at the age of 79.

Ron's parents moved from a farm south of Jonesboro into town on Water Street in 1946 when Everett began his career as a farm implement mechanic. Ron was raised in Jonesboro and attended J. C. Knight and Mississinewa schools, graduating in 1963. He has attended and enjoyed all of his High School class reunions.

Ron enrolled in Ball State Teachers College in 1963. He earned a BA in Education with a Latin major and English minor in 1967. He then continued as a Graduate Assistant at Ball State University, earning a Master's of Arts degree in the same fields in 1969.

Ron then moved to Kokomo, Indiana, where he began teaching Latin and English in the newly opened Haworth High School. He grew the Latin program into a full four-year program, established a Latin Club, and had many students winning certificates and awards in the National Latin Examination. He was the Indiana Latin Teacher of the Year in 1991. He also established both a Mary Cook and a Richard Abney Latin Scholarship program. Ron chaperoned high school students to Europe in 1970, '72, '82, '94 and '97. They had private audiences with Pope Paul VI in '72 and Pope John Paul II in '94 and '97. He was also a Representative to the Indiana and National Classical Leagues from 1966 until 2000. He retired from teaching school in 2000 after 32 years.

Ron married Candace K. Wintrode, daughter of Herbert and Thelma Wintrode, June 21, 1975. They resided in Country Park Estates until 1997 when they moved into their permanent home on Zartman Road, his current residence. Candy worked in several office and store positions over the years. She was a supportive and active participant in all of their many activities. She followed along with all of Ron's genealogical, history, and family pursuits. Many trips were made to find that lost cemetery relative in the middle of a field as they traveled the country. Candy passed from extended cancer issues November 10, 2015.

Ron started an additional position at Indiana University Kokomo teaching Medical Terminology from 1981 until 2016. He had many doctoral and nursing students, as Latin is the basis for most medical language.

Ronald was an active Christian and member of the Quaker/Friends Church since 1952, starting in the Jonesboro Friends Church. He taught Sunday school classes, sang in the choir, and held many positions at Cortland Avenue Friends until their closing in 2012. He then transferred to Russiaville Friends where he continued serving in many positions. Ron also spent many years on several Friends Indiana and Western Yearly Meeting committees.

He began researching his family and genealogical history in 1960. That led to expanding his research into many areas of this field including teaching genealogical classes. He compiled articles and edited material for the Howard County Indiana Family History, 1844-1994. As part of his genealogical pursuits, Ron accepted a position as Genealogy Assistant in the Kokomo Public Library in 2000. It was a grand commitment for him that he thoroughly enjoyed. He assisted several people in their family searches and taught them "how it's done." He continued working there until his colon cancer discovery in November of 2023.

Ron's last ten months were spent fighting his cancer with surgeries and chemotherapies. He knew it wasn't curable but continued the fight. A different cancer appeared in August and after many surgeries and

hospital and nursing home stays, he fought the last battle. He told us he was ready to see his Lord and passed peacefully.

He is survived by his brother Robert Tetrick of Noblesville and Bob's son John in Elwood and daughter Megan and son-in-law Brad Hopewell in Washington DC at the U.S. State Department. There are several other cousins (and "Relatives by his searches") in Indiana and across the country.

Funeral service will be held at Noon Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Jamie Lyon and David Phillips officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ron's memory to Russiaville Friends Meeting, with envelopes available at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www. shirleyandstout.com.