Dr. Ronald Lee Foreman Sr.

Ronald was born to Harland and Mabel Foreman in Crestline. Ohio on May 2, 1932. Seven years later the family moved to Mount Victory, Ohio. He became active in athletics, drama, Boy Scouts, public speaking, Future Farmers of America, youth fellowship, and newspaper carrier for the Columbus Dispatch for seven years. During high school, he met Mary Lee Cameron, and they were married in 1953.
Ronald graduated from high school in 1950 and earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1954. After teaching agriculture education for one year, he was called to fulfill a ROTC commitment in the Army. During the next five years, he became headquarters battery commander of the 738 Nike & Hercules missile battalion, pilot and instructor of fixed and rotary aircraft. During that time, He & Mary became proud parents of three children, Christopher Alan, Ronald Lee, and Cheri Lynn (Gerecke).
A return to civilian life with eight years of army reserve time at the rank of Captain ended the military career. The return also began a return to education. He taught Agricultural Education at Margaretta High School for seven years, initial director of the EHOVE Joint Vocational School for four years, National Center for Vocational Education two years, and earned a doctorate degree at Ohio State University, selected to be the Superintendent of the Polaris Career Center in Middleburg, Ohio during initial construction and operation for eight years.
He moved to the Sauk area career center and Rockford career center in Illinois when Christopher required surgery and went into a coma for eighteen months. To be at his side, he & Mary moved to the West. Chris passed in March of 1990. Ron joined the State Department of Education for the state of Arizona and interim professor for Northern Arizona University and retired in 1998 as a cancer survivor. The final move to Florida came in 2000.
Ron was always involved with church activities wherever he lived. He was moderator of the United Church of Christ in Castalia, Ohio and a member of churches in Illinois, Arizona & Florida, and chairman at several committees. He was baptized at New Day Church on December 23, 2023, proudly, with his daughter Cheri. Ron was a loving example for his wife and family. He is survived by 2 children, 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. His devotion to education for 44 years and aid for thousands of youths and adults to gain competence and training for the workforce will long be remembered.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22nd, 2025 at New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte at 11:00 AM, followed by a burial with military honors at Sarasota National Cemetery.