Ronald Ellery Vreeland

Ronald Vreeland Obituary

Ronald Ellery Vreeland 79, of San Jose died on February 16, 2006 at home in the loving care of friends and family after a brief bout of cancer. He was born on December 9, 1926 in Boise, Idaho to parents Nell Stalker and Ellery Otis Vreeland. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sylvia Zurschmiede, and second wife, Doris Nelson.

Ronald is survived by the following: Daughter, Nancy Allen of Raleigh, NC, husband Ken Allen, and sons Brian and Darren. Son, Mark Vreeland of Los Gatos. Brother Richard Vreeland of Monterey. Step-daughter Susan Holmdahl of San Jose, husband Keith Holmdahl, and children Jennifer and Bryan. Nieces Lauren Vreeland Long of Novato, Amy Vreeland Frieman of New Haven, CT, Melissa Vreeland Orano of Morro Bay, Debbie O'Brien of Goose Creek, SC, Sherri Imperial of Buffalo Grove, IL and Laura Sue Benedict of San Diego. Nephew Scott Benedict of Yucaipa, CA. Brother-in-law Henry Benedict of Laguna Beach, CA, and wife Dorothy. Life-partner Jeannine Feldman of Sunnyvale and her children: Fred Feldman of Los Altos, Richard Feldman of Scotts Valley, Anise Feldman of San Rafael and Mary Mary Feldman of San Jose.

Ronald was ready to go home to be with the Lord. Those left behind will remember him as a kind, fun and generous man and how much he loved being around his friends and family. A passionate lover of nature, geology, fishing, Yosemite and world-wide travel. Ron attended UC Berkeley before serving in the Air Force as a weatherman in the Philippines at the end of WWII. He was a founding member of the High Flyer Investment Club and was active in SIRS, the Roving Roosters, and the Almaden Community Center in his retirement. Prior to retirement he was active in San Jose's Masonic Temple and square dancing groups. He spent his career in carpentry, contracting, real estate sales and real estate investing in Silicon Valley. He was also a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher at the First Congregational Church in San Jose. Ron donated his body to Stanford University Hospital for research and transplants.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2006 in the chapel at the First Unitarian Church of San Jose, 160 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 292-3858 with a reception immediately following. Directions are available at www.sanjoseuu.org. The family requests that you wear cheerful and bright colors, NO BLACK!. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley; 1150 S. Bascom Ave. # 7A, San Jose, CA 95128 or Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Avenue San Jose, CA 95120.

Memorial tributes may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News on Feb. 24, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Vreeland

4 Entries

Jeannine Feldman

March 13, 2006

If any members of the San Mateo Unitarian Universalists read this, I thank those of you who attended Ron's Memorial Service. I am grateful that you came. Ron only attended church with me three times but he liked the UU experience. I think if he hadn't gotten ill, you might have seen more of him.

I am very fortunate that I had this wonderful man in my life for two years.

Denny Brisbin

March 11, 2006

My wife and I known Ron since he moved into his home. We would often meet out in front of his home or mine and just chat about things in general, occasionally sharing a joke or two, but never anything about politics or religion, or anything else controversial.

We were deeply saddened when, upon inquiring about him, his son Mark, advised us of his death.

We extend our deepest regrets to his family in this, their time of need.

Sincerely Ann & Denny Brisbin, neighbors two homes west of his.

Hank & Faye Lampreda

February 25, 2006

Nancy & Ron, we are saddened to hear of your loss. We enjoyed your family as neighbors on Bel Canto Dr for many years. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. Hank & Faye Lamreda

Nancy Vreeland Allen

February 22, 2006

I know my father has cousins, great aunts, etc. in the Boise area. My family went to a family reunion in Boise when one of them turned 100. Please feel free to contact me if you remember my father.

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