Ronald Marshall Harley

Ronald was born on January 24, 1938, in Savannah, Georgia, to loving parents Marion Haygood Harley and Janie Varn Harley (deceased). He was raised with strong Christian values and a deep sense of community. He was a member of Hull Memorial Presbyterian Church in Savannah. At twenty-nine he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. After moving to Milledgeville, Georgia he became a member of First Presbyterian Church.
He graduated from Savannah High School and attended Armstrong College in Savannah, the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Tech University in Atlanta, Southern Tech in Chamblee, Georgia, and Georgia College in Milledgeville. He graduated from Southern Tech with a degree in Building Construction and Engineering Technology.
After graduating college, Ronald embarked on a successful career with Morton T. Tuttle Construction Company in Boston, Massachusetts, as a Structural Steel Detailer. Subsequently, he worked at Union Camp Paper Corporation in Savannah, GA, in the Engineering Department with seventeen engineers of all disciplines. He is thankful for the mentorship of Professional Engineer, John Fielding, a church member and second engineer at Union Camp Paper. Fielding nurtured him spiritually, socially and professionally.
After Union Camp, he served as Physical Plant Director at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. His significant contributions at Georgia College earned respect and admiration from colleagues and clients alike.
His dedication and passion were evident in all his endeavors. He joined Georgia College in 1968, one year after it became a coeducational institution. He excelled in modernizing and maintaining its turn-of-the-century neoclassical architecture. He managed five department supervisors, overseeing approximately 100 employees. He supervised the construction of the Athletic Complex, restoration, and modernization of dormitories, library, and other academic buildings. Georgia College became the first in the university system to have an automated preventative maintenance schedule. He also wrote the construction program for the Atcheson School of Business.
During his tenure, he handled multiple bomb threats before final exams as part of campus security. Additionally, Ronald developed master keying for the entire campus. After 20 years of hard work, he transformed the campus into an attractive physical environment.
After leaving Georgia College he worked with Service Masters, management employment service. He was assigned to Person County School System, N. C., Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C., and Buncombe County Schools in Asheville, N.C. He retired at the age of 73.
While working at Georgia College, Ronald raised his daughters Marsha and Julianne. They enjoyed riding their bikes around campus, skating, softball, tennis, and watching the gymnastics team practice.
He became a Georgia Master Gardener and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge of N.C., Boy Scouts, and Order of DeMolay (Masonic Order for young males).
In addition to his professional achievements, Ronald was deeply involved in his community, using his skills to revitalize downtown Milledgeville.
He was also passionate about woodworking, furniture refinishing, and gardening. He completely renovated their home, built in the early 1800s, in Mars Hill, N.C. He also drew house plans for community members in Savannah and Milledgeville.
Ronald's legacy is one of love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to family and friends. He is mourned by his beloved spouse Gail Barlett Harley, cherished father of Marsha Patricia Harley Shaffer of Savannah (deceased) and Julianne Harley Fowler (Gary) of Milledgeville, GA. He was step-father to Gail's sons, Keith Scott and Thomas Scott (deceased); grandparent to Macey Marie Fowler, Mitchell Harley Fowler, Brittany Wilkinson Chandler and Jamie Wilkinson Gonzolaz of Savannah, GA. He was the brother of Don Harry Harley (deceased) and Marion Leland Harley of Atlanta, Georgia. He was a great grandparent to Ellie and Evelyn Chandler, and Brea, Matthew and Joseph Gonzalaz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25th at the chapel of Moores Funeral Home with Rev. Craig Williams officiating. Burial will be in Memory Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Masonic Children's Home 1417 Nottingham Dr, Macon, GA 31211.