Ronald Wingfield

Ronald Thomas Wingfield, age 76, passed away on October 17, 2025. He was born on July 2, 1949 in Paris, Arkansas to Thomas Clarion (TC) Wingfield and Narine Shelton Wingfield. He graduated from Arkansas Teachers College (now UCA), where he studied industrial arts and eventually earned a bachelor=s degree in biology.

Ron worked for many years as a computer programmer and traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada to do so. After becoming weary of all the travel required and after technology left the mainframe computers behind, Ron started a new business with an old friend, Neil Clark, building fiberglass jet boats.

Ron held a private pilots license and loved flying as much as he enjoyed jet boat racing. He had a great respect for those who served in the military, especially for his dad and several uncles who served in WWII. He combined his love of flying and his respect for all things military by volunteering with the Arkansas Wing Civil Air Patrol for many years, including serving as Commander of the Little Rock Squadron, He retired from the Civil Air Patrol at the rank of Captain after he lost his ability to fly due to health issues.

Ron was an avid outdoors man and spent a lot of time hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting and kayaking. He also loved music and often said he earned his rent money while attending college by playing rock and roll music in bars. He played piano, keyboard, his Hammond organ and even played the accordion. He worked with many musicians in the Central Arkansas area and counted many as his very dear friends.

Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years, Reba Mangum Wingfield, and one brother, Vaughan Wingfield, several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many cousins. He was proceeded in death by his parents and grandparents.

There will be a visitation for Ron on October 24, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in North Little Rock starting at 1:00 with a memorial service commencing at 2:00p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Arkansas Wing Civil Air Patrol.