Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Ronald Raines Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Ronald L. Raines, 88, passed away on April 15, 2024 in Akron.
Ron was born in Akron and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Garfield High School and served in the Army. He served as a fireman for the Akron Fire Department for over 30 years. Ron was an avid golfer and a big Cleveland sports fan. He was a member of St. Jacobs Lutheran Church in Massillon. Ron was looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild later this summer.
Ron is survived by his son David (Julie) and Daniel (Karen); grandchildren Rachel (Brian) Stead, Paul, Joseph and Jacob; and son-in-law Tim Garlock. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Anita; and daughter Lori Garlock.
No services will be held. He will be interred at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cara Stanley
April 28, 2025
Wishing you a Happy Heavenly Birthday Ron, as you are in our fondest thoughts and in our hearts today and always.
Cara Stanley
April 15, 2025
Cara Stanley
April 14, 2025
Cara Stanley
April 14, 2025
Thinking of you today, with fond, happy memories. Your kindness, warmth, and love is still felt by all who were blessed to know you.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
David and Julie Raines
December 25, 2024
This is a picture of Ron's great-grandson Theodore "Theo" Stead, 6 months old. Love you Dad, Merry Christmas.
Cara Stanley
April 29, 2024
Life is like a round of golf,
With many twists and turns,
But the game is much too sweet and short.
Sometimes you'll hit it straight and far,
Sometimes the puts run true,
But each round has its wayward shots,
And troubles to play through,
So always swing with courage,
No matter what the lie,
And never let the hazards,
Destroy the joy inside.
By: Criswell Freeman
Cara Stanley
April 29, 2024
Karen Raines
April 28, 2024
As much as we miss you, we don't begrudge you your present elation. For we know that the love that envelopes you now surpasses all others, and has renewed your spirit for eternity. May you walk the greens of heaven now with a spring in your step as you relish being at the True "Master's". Through your undying faith in Jesus, you have fully "master"ed the most coveted hole-in-one of all, in your new forever life with Him.
Tim and Christie Ceplina
April 25, 2024
Deepest sympathy to the Raines family. I never had the honor to know Ronald, but his son Dave is a good man and I'm proud to have him as family.
Melissa Ceplina
April 25, 2024
Prayers for all of you during this difficult time. Praying you find peace and comfort in the months to come. Love Guy and Melissa Ceplina
Cara Stanley
April 24, 2024
Loretta Hinton
April 22, 2024
Love seeing the pictures. Reading the memories, Ron had a life filled with wonderful family, much love and many blessings. Our sincere condolences to the entire family. Greg & Loretta Hinton
Brenda Bisesi
April 22, 2024
I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Ronnie. He was a true friend of my dad, Joseph Bisesi, for many, many years. I know my dad will miss him dearly. Ronnie was always so nice every time I saw him and was always there for my dad through thick and thin. He was a great man...just like my dad. I'm sure he's up there in heaven catching up with all his buddies and hopefully there is a golf course up there. Rest in peace, Ronnie.
Brenda Bisesi
Rachel Stead
April 21, 2024
My grandfather was a deeply kind man. I will miss him always and am saddened he will not meet my son, but also happy he knew that his first great grand child was on his way. I have the fondest memories of spending summers with my grand parents, and will look back on those days with only happy thoughts. I am glad his soul is at peace, and I know he will live on through us.
David Raines
April 21, 2024
Ron's family greatly appreciates all of the love and assistance Ron's friends, Dave, Joe and all the rest of you, provided as Ron's health declined. Ron was blessed to have such great friends and your kindness lifted his spirits and helped him carry on. God bless you and thank you all so very much.
David Raines
April 21, 2024
Dad, the love, kindness and generosity that you provided for all of us through the years will forever be appreciated. You and Mom always worked hard to provide a good life for us and teach us to have respect and concern for others.
You were a great father and we will love you always.
Cara Stanley
April 19, 2024
Your loving memory will live on always in the many hearts and lives you touched. I am so fortunate to have known you. What an honor. You will live on in our hearts. Truly a kind, generous, and genuine soul. May the happy memories of you comfort your family at this difficult time.
Karen Raines
April 18, 2024
Karen Raines
April 18, 2024
Karen Raines
April 18, 2024
I'm so glad I talked to my father-in-law, Ron, two weeks ago. Because it was the last time I would. Luckily, Dan's talked to him a few times since then. He'd gotten into the routine of calling him about every other day, knowing that his older brother, Dave, has been talking to him daily.
Ironically, as we were eating dinner last night, I had just asked Dan if he was going to call him this weekend. He answered that he would later, that he knew his dad would be watching the Masters, so he'd be distracted the whole time, answering Dan in monosyllabic words, at best. Moments later, his phone rang. It was Dave. Ron had been taken to the hospital shortly before for dehydration.
Fast forward to Sunday afternoon, when Dan called me from his dad's hospital bedside, having left home at 4:00 that morning to meet Dave there. He was thinner even than when we'd seen him in August. He'd looked emaciated then. I can't even imagine what thinner looks like.
The next morning, he 'checked in' at his final destination, peacefully and painlessly. Dan and Dave both got to tell him their goodbyes again in his final moments, as did I on speaker phone held up to his ear by Dan.
After the initial grief set in, the talk began to turn to funeral arrangements. But we learned quickly that that was not to be.
Because Ron had apparently told Dave on several occasions that when the time came for him, he wanted NO funeral, calling hours, viewings, or memorial services. All he wanted was to be cremated and his ashes put beside my late mother-in-law Anita's grave.
So, since I won't be seeing him off and will be sharing no more thoughts and words with him, I'm instead sitting here on our deck, typing out a eulogy from an overflowing heart.
I'm thankful that in our last conversation I'd emptied my heart of all that it had held for him for so long. To say that Ron was a man of few words would be a gross understatement. I'd always laugh whenever someone on the show NCIS would call Gibbs a 'functioning mute', and tell Dan, "Just like your dad!" Yet, I'd taken the plunge and confided in him then that he had been my spiritual role model and admitted that I'd always admired him for the selfless good works he routinely did for others. He was a devout Christian who went out of his way for others, even buying new clothes from Kohl's for the purpose of giving them away to donation centers. Unlike most of us, who wear ours out and then give them away (and in my case, even buy most of them from thrift stores to begin with!). He'd even give the extra calendars he'd receive from charities he gave to throughout the year to those donation centers, inspiring me to do the same. Yet he did all this quietly, unobtrusively, so no one was ever the wiser.
All they'd see was a health-conscious, sharp-looking man of almost 89 (next week) who still golfed three times a week, walked his neighborhood or the mall for exercise every day, snowblew his own driveway and his neighbor's (until this year), still went to church and then to breakfast with other parishioners every Sunday, and would occasionally see friends and often his son-in-law and grandson who lived nearby.
I'm so glad I got out what I felt when I did. I loved you, Ron. And I've missed you. I'll miss you still more now. But I'm so thankful that we had you for as long as we did. And I'm glad for you to be finally completing the journey you started with Anita so many years ago. I know that you and she will soon be reveling in your togetherness once more, as you move into your heavenly digs to worship our Father in heaven together forever. Please tell her how much we all still love and miss her, too, and the same for Lori. It's sure to be a joyous reunion in the clouds above tonight. One well worth missing the Masters for.
Karen Raines
April 18, 2024
I'll never forget the first time I met Ron at his home on Nimisila Rd. I remember thinking what a sharp looking guy he was, and that he looked just like Burt Reynolds, straight out of Deliverance!
Joe Bisesi
April 16, 2024
Sending Ronnie's family our deepest sympathy, hugs and prayers. As Joe's daughter, Ronnie has always been a staple in our lives. As a young girl just receiving my driver's license, my dad and Ronnie let me go with them to pick up a car in the Carolinas and drive it back. Ronnie was just the nicest person on the trip and I've never forgotten those couple days. Such fun with those two! Ronnie and my dad were lifelong friends, always always there for each other and tough as nails in my eyes. RIP Ronnie, you are already so missed.
Love Joe Bisesi and family
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
1990 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44301
Make a Donation
in Ronald Raines's name
People and places connected with Ronald
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Ronald's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ronald Raines's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
