Ralph Andrew Ronald I

"There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone." "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." 

Ralph Andrew Ronald I, 72, passed peacefully in his home on Friday, April 17th.    He was surrounded and deeply loved by his family until the Lord led him home to his eternal resting place.   

Ralph was born in Dennison, Ohio on February 13, 1954 to Roy and Naomi Ronald.

Ralph was a simple man who loved everything about the outdoors. He grew up along the banks of Stillwater Creek from a very young age, where he spent countless hours fishing, trapping, and setting lines. He loved hunting in the stomping grounds of Newport and was a coon hunter for many years. He was also an avid hunter of rabbits, squirrels, turkey, and deer. Ralph took great pride in training and raising his own hunting dogs from pups. He was a true dog lover.

Ralph treasured the hunting traditions and the days he spent in the woods with his sons, Drew and John, his friends, and his father-in-law, John Stull, all of whom shared his deep love for the outdoors. 

His boys meant the world to him, and the time they spent together in the woods became some of his most treasured memories.   His daughter, Autumn, who also shared his love of nature, held an unmeasurable place in his heart.   

As a young man, Ralph also loved riding his Harley and cruising in his 1968 Z28 Camaro.

Later in life, hunting became more of a luxury, as providing for his family often took him on the road.   It was a sacrifice he embraced willingly to give his family a good life.   Ralph made the best of every situation without complaint.  He was selfless, loved his family dearly, and gladly gave of himself to make their lives full and complete.

He was a diehard Indians fan and enjoyed attending as many games as possible.   He was also just as content cuddling on the couch with his wife, watching the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State games while cooking up his favorite game-day foods.

Ralph found so much joy in watching all of his children play sports, and he was incredibly proud of them. When he could not make it to a game, he eagerly waited for updates by phone.   He was also honored to have coached whenever his work placed him closer to home, and that meant the world to him.   

Later in life, he and his wife followed his grandchildren near and far to attend every game and match he possible could.  They were the bonus blessings that made his world go round.

In his younger years, among other places, Ralph worked several years at Alsco Anaconda in Gnadenhutten before its closing.  Ralph later began working for CSX Railroad, where he enjoyed the work and the challenges of serving as a Signal Foreman.   He retired after 36 years in 2016.  Over these years, he built strong friendships with many of the men he worked with and loved them like brothers. Retirement was a hard day for Ralph, because he took such great pride in his work and missed the sense of purpose it gave him.

Ralph also loved to travel. He enjoyed road trips with his loving wife of 51 years and was known for coming home and saying, “Pack our bags.” He loved long weekends at the beach, and playing in the waves for hours on end. After retirement, it was finally time to begin checking off amazing bucket-list trips, and together they made and shared the sweetest memories, both in and out of the country.   It was a lifetime of happiness and contentment.

Ralph’s diagnosis was not his story. His story was one of a life fully lived and deeply cherished, marked by happiness, family, hard work, humor, a lifelong love of music, especially rock and roll and R& B, travel, and strength.   He was a devoted father, a loving husband, and a king among men.   He lived well right up to the very end, until he was called home by Jesus Christ, his Savior. He lived with no regrets.

Ralph was the main event in his family’s hearts. He never cared much for the limelight, but he absolutely loved the sunlight.

In 1974, Ralph married the love of his life, his childhood friend and sweetheart, Darla (Stull).  Growing up in their little country community, their families were close friends who lived across the street from one another.  They attended the same church, youth fellowship, backyard games, and shared long bus rides to school for many years as children, until one day their lifelong connection grew into a forever love.

Ralph and Darla were married for 51 years, and he delighted in spoiling her. Together they had three beautiful children: Autumn, Drew, and John, and six amazing grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Naomi Ronald, and his brother, Jack Ronald.

He is survived by his wife, Darla (Stull) Ronald; his daughter, Autumn Rae (Ronald) Flora and her husband, Christopher, and their children, Emyrson and Pierce; his son, Ralph Andrew “Drew” Ronald and Tonya (Haver) Ronald, and their children, Sydney and Paxton; and his son, John Roy Ronald and Lacy (Johnson) Ronald, and their children, Ryleigh and Karson.   Sister in Law, Diane Stull, who treated him like a brother, and he loved her deeply.  

Ralph was a member of Newport Methodist Church, Hey Jack’s Sportsman’s Club, and the Uhrichsville Elks.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Newport Cemetery in Uhrichsville, with Pastor Kory Rowland officiating.

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