Ronald L. Dezember

Ronald L. Dezember, 70, President of Lesco Inc., owner of two hardware stores, died of heart failure Saturday, January 18, 2003, at his home in Avon Lake. Services for Ronald L. Dezember, a former Diamond Shamrock Corp. executive, retired Lesco Inc. president and owner of two Ace Hardware stores, were held at the United Methodist Church in North Olmsted, Ohio. He was transferred to Diamond Shamrock headquarters in Cleveland in the 1970's after working at the chemical company's operations in Phoenix, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, La., and Memphis, Tenn. He was a vice president of its agricultural chemical and animal health divisions before heading the Fermenta Plant Protection Co. in Painesville. In 1988, Dezember became president of Lesco Inc., a maker of lawn care products in Rocky River. He and his family opened an Ace Hardware Store in Avon Lake the same year and a second store in Bay Village in 1990. Dezember retired from Lesco in 1992. He served on the board of directors of the National Agricultural Chemical Association. He also belonged to the Bay Village Kiwanis Club. Dezember, who was born in Evansville, Ind., spent his teen years in Phoenix, Ariz. He graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in agronomy in 1957. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, JoAnn; daughter, Rhonda Schneider of Bay Village; sons, Randy of Avon Lake and Russ of Bay Village; six grandchildren; his parents, Larry and Fay of Ventura, Calif., three brothers; and a sister. Donations may be made to North Olmsted United Methodist Church, 4600 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted 44070 or the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 East 185th St., Cleveland 44119. Dostal Funeral Service of North Olmsted handled the arrangements.