Ronald Morgan Florance

1934 - 2020

July 22, 1934 - December 31, 2020 Ron was born in Los Angeles, CA to Cassius and Pearl Florance, their first of 3 boys. As a child, he lived in Hollywood, Alta Dena, and Fairbanks, Alaska, and he graduated from John Muir High School in Pasadena. Ron attended UCLA, becoming the first of his family to attend college. He pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon and graduated with a business degree in 1956. Ron's first love was for his wife and family. Ron married Elaine Sheldrake (Tri Delt, UCLA) in Madison, New Jersey in 1960. They have 4 children: Mike (and Allison), Ron Jr., Dana (and Jim Binford), and Steve (Nicole). Their 7 grandchildren are Robert Florance, Kathryn Florance, Jack Binford, Ryan Binford, Kyle Binford, Grady Florance, and Phoebe Florance. Ron is also survived by his brother, Doug Florance. He was fiercely loyal, always. He committed to provide every opportunity for his children and grandchildren, especially paying for the college of their choice. Something he had to do for himself at UCLA.Ron also loved his work. Even as a child, he had a knack for it, reselling Rose Bowl tickets in Pasadena to make extra money. After graduating from UCLA, Ron was hired by Proctor & Gamble as Junior Brand Manager for a new product, JIF Peanut Butter. Later, he joined the Directors' Guild (the youngest member at the time) as an Assistant Director for MGM Studios. His film credits include How the West Was Won and The Honeymoon Machine. After marriage, Ron was accepted to Merrill Lynch's training program in New York City and relocated to Los Angeles with Merrill Lynch before joining Goodbody & Co as an institutional bond salesman and later Bateman Eichler Hill Richards to run their bond department. During this time Ron received an MBA in Finance from USC (although he remained a loyal Bruin).After relocating his family to Palos Verdes in 1968, Ron began his real estate career. He was a true entrepreneur and never received a paycheck again. His developments in Palos Verdes included the University Subdivision, Wallace Ranch, and The Courtyards shopping mall. In 1980, Ron was elected to city council of Palos Verdes Estates, where he served to two 4-year terms, including as Mayor. He also developed property in Palmdale, Apple Valley, Oceanside, and Hawaii, and owned Carriage Realty, one of the South Bay's largest realtors at the time. Ron's business acumen extended into cattle ranching where he proved to be a skilled horseman. His spirit of adventure never ebbed. He loved scouting and became Assistant Scoutmaster of Palos Verdes' Troop 276, the "Mountain Men". The family spent long summers in Kauai and made trips across the country. In his later years, Ron and Elaine traveled the world touching all seven continents. Ron and Elaine attended church throughout his life. They enjoyed the friendships and support at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church and Rolling Hills United Methodist Church.Ron's friends and family remember him as a self-reliant entrepreneur and fearless risk-taker who loved his family deeply and as a man who showed them the way. A private graveside service will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, California. A Celebration of Life gathering will be postponed until friends and family can gather safely. The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to their favorite charity in Ron's name or to Rolling Hills United Methodist Church for ongoing support of Ron's landscaping initiative and sanctuary garden. Online condolences are welcomed at Legacy.com.