Ronald Lee Mack

With deep sorry we announce the passing of Ronald Mack who has succumbed to the complications of a stroke and diabetes. Ron was an accomplished baseball pitcher with 6 no-hitters in school ball and 8 no-hitters in American Legion baseball. Ron pitched School Conference Ball for 94 2/3 innings with 118 k's and allowed 58 hits with an ERA of 1.41.
In an Article published in the News Leader June 2nd 1980, Coach Dick Birmingham quoted "he's our most valuable player" a 11-2 record and the victories are a single season record for Hillcrest Hornets, which stands to this day. Ron was a 27th Round draft pick with the Philadelphia Phillies Major League AAA farm club while pitching with Crowder College Rough Riders Juco. Also, he hurled the Hillcrest Hornets to the Ozark Conference prep title in 1980.
Ron served in the United States Army from 1983-1986, where he was a mortar direct fire, serving CSC 4/502 Berlin Brigade 101st airborne. Ron was a disabled Veteran from his Army service, where he was Honorably discharged. He was also a very good cook, pursuing a culinary degree from OTC.
Ron held several jobs and was a hard worker, be it roofing or running the Knife at Springfield Tablet Mfg Co.
Ron was an accomplished guitar player and loved to play the guitar. He also acted, appearing in the Patsy Cline movie "Sweet Dreams" and in the base guild theater in several theater productions. While in the Army, he always bragged he had his actor guild card and the royalty checks would come pouring in lol! As an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, he seldom missed a game on tv or radio and could tell you any stat of Gibby, Musial or Ted Williams, his favorite players, and I hope he's discussing the current situation over with them now lol. He never met a stranger and everyone was a friend. Ron was a very avid Elvis Presley fan, and I am sure they are jamming now and taking care of business!!
Ronald was especially grateful to his extended family in AA and loved every one of them and never spoke down about any one of them for they were fighting the demon just like he was. Special thanks to his best friend Harold Myers, who Ron spoke highly of often.
He is survived by his parents, Jess and Lula Mack of Springfield; twin brother Robert Mack of Springfield and his son Jacob Mack of Florida; sister Elisa and her daughter Bailee and husband Terry Morgan of Fair Grove, MO; best friend Harold Myers of Springfield and a host of extended relatives and friends.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated. Visitation will be from 1:30 – 2:30 PM on Monday, December 9, 2024 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will follow at 3:00 PM in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.
Special thanks to Mercy ICU 3E and Select Specialty Hospital for the outstanding care and comfort during Ron's stay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alcoholics Anonymous of Southwest Missouri, 1722 South Glenstone Avenue, Suite W202, Springfield, MO 65804.