Ronnie Petty

MICHIGAN - Ronnie "Ron" Lee Petty passed away at home with his loving wife by his side on November 27, 2025. He had spent the latter part of his life feeling intensely grateful to those who helped and encouraged him as he reflected on his younger years, so it is fitting that Thanksgiving was his last day with us.

Ron was born on Sunday, March 5, 1939, in a former one-room schoolhouse in Buckneck Creek, Ohio. Legend has it that the church bells were ringing at the time of his birth, and newborn Ronnie squirted across the room, creating a sizzle on the wood-fired stove. Thus began the life of a natural-born storyteller.

Ron was the seventh of twelve children born to James and Lola (Swearingin) Petty. Growing up, Ron was a shy young man. Early on, he helped support his large family with odd jobs and collected coal from the side of the railroad tracks to help keep the house warm. He became known as a hard worker. He helped the elderly in his neighborhood and worked at a filling station. Schoolwork did not come easy, but he accepted help from his teachers and was the first in his family to graduate from high school. His work ethic and athleticism were noticed on the basketball court and football fields. He expressed so much gratitude toward community members who took an interest in him; one neighboring doctor put up a basketball hoop and an outdoor light for him to practice. Ron's much-loved and respected football coach, Rex Warner, helped him secure a full scholarship to play at the University of Louisville. His position was tackle, and he won many awards as a standout and captain of the team. The Cardinals won the Sun Bowl of 1958, their first trip to a bowl game. He loved telling stories about his friends and teammates. Ron worked construction on the highways during the summers. He was drafted in round 16 by the Washington Redskins, but at that time, playing in the NFL was not a money-making endeavor. While at U of L, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Ferguson. They had two sons, Craig and Brad. Ron began his teaching career in Carey, Ohio, then moved to Sidney where he taught, coached, and became interim principal. He then dedicated his career to troubled youth as a juvenile probation officer. He started a traffic court where other teens decided the penalties. He was instrumental in starting a half-way house. He went on to work for the Ohio Youth Commission and Starr Commonwealth. He held a certificate in social work from Kent State and earned a master's degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

After the loss of his first wife, Ron married Sue Stevenson, who became an instant mother to Craig and Brad, and daughters Holly and Joy were added to the family. The family moved to Michigan, where Ron worked at the Starr Commonwealth campus in Albion.

Ron's encore career was a successful stint in residential real estate. He enjoyed connecting with the community and worked with a few different agencies. We affectionately called him "Ronnie Re-Max". After he retired, he enjoyed driving senior citizens to their appointments, helping with home care, and working as a courier for Oaklawn Hospital.

Hobbies were yard work, reading, riding his bike, but mostly Ron enjoyed talking with family and friends. He enjoyed sitting on the porch, reminiscing and contemplating life. For many years, he was a member of the United Methodist church of Marshall and enjoyed ushering and lay speaking.

Ron's greatest love in life was his family; he was a family man to his core. He spent his free time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ron and Sue celebrated 55 years of marriage. He loved to get each toddler their first chocolate ice cream cone and watch them make a mess. We all loved to ride on his shoulders or swing on his biceps. We climbed all over him as he rough-housed with us, threw us in the pool, and pretended to crush us under his "steam rollers". He was big and strong, but also sweet, silly, and never afraid to cry or show his emotions. He had what's now known as grit.

Ron was preceded in death by his son, Craig, parents, James and Lola, brothers, Kenny, Ed, Mitch, and Steve, sisters, Imogene, Juanita, Donna, and Linda.

Ron will be greatly missed by the love of his life, Sue, Son, Brad(Martha Rhodes) Petty, daughter-in-law, Lora Jason, daughters, Holly (Kevin) Poppink and Joy (Alvin) Lautzenheiser, grandchildren, Jessi (Eric) Watts, Joshua (Fran) Petty, Aubrey Petty, Tessa Lautzenheiser, Caleb Lautzenheiser, Tess Poppink, Mia Poppink, and Leela Gauna; great-grandchildren, Grace Watts, Ben Watts, Juniper Petty, and Whitaker Petty, Brother, Chuck (Linda) Petty, sisters, Lois Hardesty and Elizabeth Wright; brother-in-law, Jim (Nancy) Wells, brother-in-law, Dale Gillespie, and many other family member and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 1:30 pm at the Kempf Family Funeral Home in Marshall, Michigan. His funeral service will take place at 2:30 pm at the Kempf Family Funeral Home. In keeping Ron's memory alive, take the time to share a story or two and help others when you can. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to Oaklawn Hospice. The Kempf Family Funeral Home is honored to care for the Petty family in their time of need.