Ronald K. Jones

1951 - 2022

Ronald K. Jones
September 17, 1951 - February 2, 2022
Bradenton, Florida - Ronald K. Jones was born September 17, 1951 in Double Springs, Alabama and attended Union High School in Modoc, Indiana. He moved to Bradenton with his family in 1970 and met the love of his life, Ruthie Ann Gilmore in 1973. In 1977, the two of them wed and shared a 44-year union.
Ron started volunteer wrestling coaching in 1972 at Manatee High School until he received the coaching position at the Sarasota Boys Club. In 1977, he started the Manatee Wrestling Club at "the barn" in Oneco. This was a place where he worked and grounded some of the baddest men in the country. This assignment is what ignited the fire. In 1981 he accepted the head coaching job at Sarasota High School. At Sarasota High, Coach Jones led the 1989 team to a record-breaking State Championship win and continued dominating the sport for 30 years where he shaped and molded a multitude of young men on and off the mat. In 2011 he accepted the position of head coach at Sarasota Military Academy and retired after 4 years. He volunteered at Lakewood Ranch High School and Bradenton Christian School up until this past summer.
Ron traveled the world for wrestling. Wrestling was not just a sport that he loved; it was in his blood. He coached several world tours and hosted countless foreign exchange wrestlers from Japan, South Korea, Cuba, South Africa and Bulgaria. He coached Team USA in seven countries for the Junior World Tournaments, he was in the 1972 Olympic Trials and spent his Summers taking teams to Iowa for Dan Gable's Wrestling Camp. He loved the Hawkeyes!
In 2008 he was inducted into the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife, Ruthie G. Jones; son, Brian (Cassidy); daughter, Callie A. Parker (Robert); and his pride and joy, his five grandchildren; Bella, Cooper, Cady, Stephen and Bo; brother, Donald J Jones (Marcia); and a multitude of nieces and nephews whom he cherished and adored.
The family is asking that any monetary donations be made to Sailors Wrestling Inc. and mailed to 4575 Pike Ave. Sarasota, FL 34233 in Ron's honor. He loved the sport of wrestling but he loved the kids even more.
Service will be held at Bayside Church 15800 SR-64 Bradenton, FL 34212 on Saturday March 12th, 2022 at 5PM with Pastor Joel Tillis of Suncoast Baptist Church presiding.
Ron was a faithful servant of The Lord and was always sharing the gospel through word AND deed. He was a father to the fatherless and a friend to the unfriendly. He was a husband, father, brother, coach and encourager. He was a legend. It was his wish that everyone accepts Christ Jesus as their Savior. His family, the wrestling community and the world in general is a better place because he was in it.
Arrangements under the care of Shannon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com