Ronald Charles

1941 - 2021

Ronald Charles
June 24, 1941 - August 26, 2021
Sacramento, California - Ronald Mayfield Charles Sr., 80, of Sacramento, CA passed away at his home on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Ronald was born on June 24, 1941, to Joy Charles and Alexander Mayfield in Beaumont, TX. He relocated to Oroville, CA as a young child where he was raised by Joy and Robert Charles. After graduating from Oroville High School in 1959, he went on to complete an Associate of Arts degree (1961) from Yuba College, and was the first Black graduate in the Department of Geography (Earth Sciences) at the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts (1970) and Master of Arts (1974) where he was awarded the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship in 1975. Ronald worked at the Oroville saw mill, United States Postal Service, UC Berkeley Police Department (1968), Environmental Protection Agency, and retired after 24 years of service as an instructor at Sacramento City College. A visitor to 86 countries, he loved traveling, reading, and studying family genealogy. Ronald led a full and exciting life in which one of his favorite activities was taking his students to West Africa.
Ronald was widely known and respected in the Masonic community with 32 years as an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason. Devoted and dedicated, Ronald joined Harding San Juan Lodge No. 732 Free and Accepted Masons of California in 1997 where he became Worshipful Master in 2001. In 1999, he affiliated with Concord Lodge No.117 and in 2002, was recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award. Ronald was a New Century Member at the George Washington National Memorial, and Worshipful Master of the Northern California Research Lodge (2004) and Concord Lodge No.117 (2007). In 2005, he was awarded a California State Assembly Resolution for Community Service. He was an Officer's Coach with G. MacArthur Lodge No.853 where he was a charter member, as well as with Sacramento Lodge No.40. In addition to being Grand Standard Bearer for the California Grand Lodge (2004-2005), a member of the Board of Directors for the Northern California Past Masters Association where he served as Right Worshipful Master (2008), a member of the Sacramento Valley Scottish Rite, 32o, Knight Commander Court of the Honor, and a member of the Sacramento York Rite Bodies, Ronald was a member and leader of many other different Masonic organizations. He raised, coached, and touched the lives of countless Masons in the greater Sacramento area and beyond.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eunice Charles, son Ron Charles Jr. (spouse Nadine), daughter Elizabeth Proctor, daughter Robia Charles (spouse Chris), grandchildren Rafael, Rachael, Zia, Mavi, and great-granddaughter Amoura. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Joyce Ross, Emma Spencer and Billie Jackson. Ronald leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ronald will be laid to rest at the Masonic Lawn Cemetery, 2700 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Donations can be made in his memory to the Department of Earth & Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley (https://give.berkeley.edu/fund/FN7484000), as well as in support of public education through the California Masonic Foundation (https://masonicfoundation.org/).