Ronald Edward McLeod

Ronald “Red” Edward McLeod

September 24, 1953 – September 29, 2025

Battle Creek, Michigan

Just five short months after the passing of his wife of forty-five years, best friend, and love of his life, Jan, Ron “Red” McLeod joined her on September 29, 2025, surrounded by love and the music he cherished most. 

Born September 24, 1953, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Patricia Rutledge and Walter McLeod, Red lived a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and strong values. 

He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era as a helicopter mechanic, where his precision and skill reflected the discipline that shaped his life. Afterward, his love for motorcycles and natural talent for craftsmanship led him to work as a motorcycle mechanic for many years before founding Red’s Professional Painting, a residential painting business he ran for nearly three decades. His work earned multiple Parade of Homes awards in Kalamazoo and a reputation for excellence. Red’s perfectionism inspired—and occasionally exasperated—those who worked with him. For him, if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right. “Good enough” simply did not exist in his vocabulary. 

Even after retiring, Red kept working. For eight years, he maintained the greens at Stonehedge Golf Club in Augusta, finding peace in every sunrise and joy in the camaraderie of his coworkers. On his birthday, just five days before his passing, he was there delivering donuts from a golf cart—his way of sharing one last morning with friends. The people of Stonehedge meant the world to him, and he often spoke of them with deep appreciation. 

Red was unforgettable—strong-willed, sharp, and able to drive you crazy and inspire you in the same breath. Beneath his rough edges was a man whose love ran deeper than he could say. He could frustrate you to your core and still make you see things differently. His lessons weren’t always easy, but they lasted. For those who truly knew him, his loyalty and love were undeniable. 

Music and film were lifelong passions—both escape and therapy. He shared them freely, especially with his daughter and grandsons, creating memories that live on in every song and movie they loved together. In his youth, Red was also an accomplished speed roller skater at Midway Roller rink. 

In the final months of his life, Red and his daughter, Kira, found profound healing and closeness after years of loving each other fiercely and clashing just as hard. They challenged each other but stood by each other in ways only they could understand. Kira cared for him at home in his final week, ensuring he knew how deeply he was loved. Though his body grew tired, his heart never recovered from losing Jan. He died of a broken heart and is finally free of pain. 

Red was preceded in death by his wife, Jan McLeod; his true father in every way, Walter McLeod; stepmother, Phyllis McLeod; mother, Patricia Whitney; stepfather, Kenneth Whitney; siblings, Shane Mann and Teresa Vincent; brother-in-law, Scott Winer; step-granddaughter, Lexi Jones; and biological father, Robert Mann. 

He is survived by his daughter, Kira, and her husband, Ronald “Ronnie” Jones, whom Red had known since Ronnie was a small child and loved deeply. He is also survived by grandsons, Gavin and Trenton “Trent” Jung, his greatest pride and joy. His brothers, Michael (Tracy) McLeod and Donald (Kaylyn) McLeod; sisters, Debbie Morrison, Dee Lind, and Lee Ann (Leon) Pate; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved deeply, including Ian Howard and Melissa Thomas, each shared a special bond with him. Additionally, he is survived by extended brothers and sisters through the Rush and Winer families, each holding a meaningful place in his life. 

Family, to Red, was never limited to blood. He is also survived by Lev Josts, whom he and Jan loved like a son, and Christopher Jung, who learned from Red’s relentless work ethic and unfiltered life lessons. He shared a special bond with Barbara Mann, who became the mother figure he never expected to find but had longed for all his life. 

A military service with honors will be held at Fort Custer Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, with arrival by 2:20 p.m. A celebration of life will be announced later, where family and friends will gather to share stories, laughter, and the music he loved. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to help support final expenses and ongoing recovery efforts following the loss of both Red and Jan so close together. Memorial contributions may be made through the AngeLink fundraiser, “In Loving Memory of Ron “Red” and Jan McLeod,” organized by his sister, Dee, at Ron "Red" McLeod's Memorial Fund on AngeLink.  Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Red may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.