Ronald Basham

Ronald Wayne Basham loved Jesus and loved his family. Born in the hills of West Virginia to Carnice Ferlin Basham and Garnet Marie Basham in 1956, Ron grew up exploring the holler with his friends, enjoying the outdoors, playing football and running track. He met Charlene Kay Foraker in school and they became high school sweethearts, marrying in 1975 before heading off to college at his beloved Alma Mater, Virginia Tech.
Both Ron and Charlene graduated from Virginia Tech, along with his younger brother by 12 years, Kevin, and his nephew, Chase, many years later.
Ron studied chemical engineering and had a long and successful career, starting as a co-op during college with Borg Warner Chemical. He stayed on at Borg Warner throughout the company's transitions to GE Plastics, and later SABIC, from where he retired. Ron's job with GE Plastics took him and Charlene to Ottawa, Illinois, where they began their family.
Ron and Charlene had twin daughters, Christina Marie and Cassandra Dawn in March 1984, but they passed away shortly after birth. A year later, their oldest son Nicholas Charles (Nick) was born, followed by Christopher Scott (Chris) two years later, and Alexander Neal (Alex) two years after that.
Another opportunity with GE Plastics took the young family to southern Indiana, where Ron and Charlene would settle on the Westside of Evansville and build their forever home. It was in Evansville where the couple raised their boys, with Ron coaching them in junior league football, throwing ball in the backyard, taking them camping, fishing, and golfing, and attending countless school functions and games. Ron and Charlene became firmly embedded into their Westside community and loved attending Reitz football games as their boys played and during the many years since.
Ron loved Jesus and instilled that love in his family, leading them faithfully and by example his entire life. Every meal, family trip, celebration and holiday started with a prayer from Ron while family and friends held hands in a circle. He taught Sunday school and children's church for years and served on the boards of First Assembly of God in Ottawa and Eagle's View in Evansville. He and Charlene most recently attended Vineyard Community Church in Evansville. Ron exemplified Christ throughout his life, sharing his faith and the message of salvation whenever he could.
Ron loved the outdoors – he was a member of the West Side Sportsmans Club and a commander within the Royal Rangers program for decades, leading countless camp outs and retreats. He and Charlene were avid hikers and enjoyed exploring parks and trails together. He also cherished the chance to spend time with his father and brother, camping and hunting back in West Virginia during Thanksgiving week every year until his father's passing. Later, when Ron purchased a large plot of land in southern Indiana he would dub "The Bashlands", he moved the camper the three of them shared out to the property, where he could share that experience with his sons and grandchildren.
Ron adored his grandchildren and spent as much time with them as he could. Their "Paw Paw" loved to play "tickle monster", give silly kisses, entertain with his "popper" (making a funny popping sound) and wrestle. Ron took his older grandchildren out to The Bashlands whenever he could, where they camped, hiked, fished, kayaked, did archery and rode four-wheelers. He and Charlene also attended as many of their grandchildren's school functions, games and meets as they could, while also helping to run them between practices and other activities.
Ron was an incredible handyman, and enjoyed building and fixing things at home, church and for others. He also never knew a stranger and could strike up an extended conversation with anyone at anytime, many times leading to eye rolls from his kids, especially if it was after a long church service. He loved to share bad puns and jokes, frequently received with the same eye rolls. Ron treasured his family, and always set aside time on Sunday afternoons for long calls with his mother and brother.
Ron and Charlene were married for 48 years. He is preceded in death by his daughters, Christina and Cassandra, and his father, Ferlin. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, sons Nick (Rebekah), Chris (Tara) and Alex (Kelly), grandsons Sawyer and Finn, granddaughters Austen, Aslan, Freya, Greysen and Jamesyn, mother Garnet, brother Kevin (Tanya) and nephews Chandler (Emily) and Chase.
A remembrance service will be held at Pierre Funeral Home on Saturday, May 4, at 11:00am, with visitation for friends and family at 9:00am until service time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Convoy of Hope or the Evansville Junior Football League.
Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com