Ronald Joseph Pepitone

Ronald J. “Ron” Pepitone passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the age of 79. He was born November 13, 1946, in Opelousas, Louisiana to Salvatore Pepitone and Anna Belle Guidroz Pepitone. After graduating from Opelousas High School in 1964, he immediately entered the United States Navy, proudly serving our country for more than four years. He was stationed on the USS Turner Joy where his life on the destroyer included tours in Vietnam, Guam and Australia. Ron received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His military experience helped mold him into the strong, loyal and proud person that family and friends were honored to know and love. Ron had a successful career, retiring as a supervisor from Dow Chemical in 2001, after 33 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Ramona Smithey and Victoria Myers.

Ron is survived by his devoted children Brady Pepitone and his wife Lisa, and Kristy Kay Richard and her husband John; his brother Salvatore “Sal” Pepitone, Jr. and his wife Barbara; his former wife and mother of his children, Ruby Nell Pepitone; his beloved grandchildren, Annabelle Marie Pepitone and Gracie Sophia Pepitone, and John Brady Richard and his wife Cappi, Andrew Joseph Richard and Luke Michael Richard, the relationship they each had with their “Papa Ron” was magical and will endure a lifetime. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge his caregivers, Bridget and Tracey, for their compassionate care, knowing you all were there gave us much peace during this time.

Ron was happiest outdoors, especially at the family camp in Port Barre. It was here, on his boat and on the docks, that he taught his grandchildren to fish. When he wasn’t on the water, you could find him in his workshop, where a project was always underway – accomplished by using his vast inventory of tools, one that rivaled most hardware stores. Ron always found ways to stay busy, even achieving success in martial arts as a black belt. He had a way of doing things...his way! Ron was meticulous and hardworking, honest and generous, but above all of this, it was the love that he had for his family, and especially his grandchildren, that defined him. Once they were born, he lived for them – whether it was weekly car rides to his granddaughter’s horse-riding events, or the standing Thursday appointments he had with his grandsons at Raising Cane’s. Ron always made sure the grandchildren knew they were the center of his universe.

His commitment to his country surpassed his time enlisted. Ron was a longtime member of the VFW Hall Post 3785 in Addis, Louisiana. The family asks for those so desiring, to provide memorials in his honor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 402 South Kirkland Drive in Brusly, Louisiana. A Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. A graveside service with military honors will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery at a later date.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com