December 18, 2013

Ronald Waters

Funeral services for Ronald “Ron” Waters, 59, of Watford City, N.D., were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 at the Assembly of God Church in Watford City, N.D., with Pastor Sheldon McGorman officiating. Interment took place in Farland Cemetery, Arnegard, N.D.
Ronald Curtis Waters entered life on March 10, 1954 as the eventual sole brother to six sisters within the David and Shirley Waters family. His father worked long hours for a saw mill and around their isolated farm; his mother did what a mother had to do to manage a household of seven children. Thus, Ron spent most of his early years growing up within this unique environment of chores and sisters.
From early recollections, Ron had a compelling addiction to understanding how things worked. He was a quick study with anything mechanical, and honed skills into valued accomplishments from precision mounting framework for complex holographic photography to exotic modifications of diesel engines. Ron’s ability with a welder put many engineers to shame. He was the classical jack-of-all-trades, however, master of many.
Adventuring was as engraved in Ron’s DNA as was his mechanical addiction. He struck out to face the world alone as a young man and eventually joined our National Coast Guard where he dutifully served for four years. Never bound to an office or assembly line, Ron travelled the road leading to that of a professional truck driver- a solid blend of his need for life adventure and his mechanical curiosities. This became the bulk of his work life - so skilled in all aspects of 18-wheeling, that he spent part of his life teaching others how to do it. No one can ever question Ron’s devotion to his jobs or any part of his work ethics.
Ron married Ramona on Aug. 4, 1982, 31 years ago. Together they created a lifetime of happy special memories and forged a loving life together.
Ron developed a lifelong pastime in off-road activities. He confidently drove a variety of vehicles in a manner of places where many of his friends and family fearfully hung on to whatever was reachable. His hearty laugh put all at ease and tons of such memories reside within the minds of his friends and family. Ron also loved to camp; he especially appreciated a good campfire surrounded in conversation and laughter with his family. For several years, Ron and Ramona accompanied his parents in many gold-mining vacations - again combining his love for family and adventure with the workings of the associate mechanical apparatus that is part of the sport.
It was relationships that Ron nurtured and grew by being a giving and loyal friend and family member. Nothing could be asked of Ron that he wouldn’t gladly provide even at great sacrifice to his own way of life. When his father died, Ron saw the need and did not hesitate to relocate near his mother; selflessly providing whatever he could as a companion and being that dependable “go-to-guy” for any and all manners. Ron was a loyal and selfless man that attracted real friends. He was a devoted husband, loving son and giving brother. Much of what Ron did is not well known because Ron was always more interested in hearing about others rather than talking about himself. He always wanted to know what he could do to help in any situation and at any self-sacrifice. His strong character is what we know best.
Ron died on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2013 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Ron’s legacy is less of what he did and more of who he was. Our world was a better place while Ron was here with us.
Ron is survived by his wife, Ramona; daughter, Sherry (Pablo) Volpez; sisters, Connie Koff, Karen Dexter, Patty Waters, Dianne Peterson, Terri Haver and Luann Gibson.
Ron is preceded in death by his father, David Waters.
 Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER