Ronald Findley
April 15, 1943 ~ February 11, 2010
Ronald Jack Findley, 66, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, February 11, 2010. Services: 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Barb Furman. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include a son, Jeffrey (Sondra) Findley of Bloomington, Illinois; a daughter, Kristin Sells of Iowa City; two brothers, Marvin Findley of Cedar Rapids and Kirk Findley of Hiawatha; five grandchildren, Haley and Hannah Long, and Ashley, Adam, and Aubrey Findley; and special friends, Bev and Polo Chavez. Ron was born April 15, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Manferd and Margaret (Fesler) Findley. He was a union sheet metal worker. A member of the 1961 undefeated state champion Cedar Rapids Jefferson baseball team, he later was a prominent figure in Cedar Rapids softball circles, including serving as the Iowa State Commissioner from 1970-72. During that time, he established the Iowa Softball Association Hall of Fame which continues today. He was later inducted into the Cedar Rapids Softball Hall of Fame. Ron loved writing poetry and together with local author Carol Gorman, published a book called 'Stumptown Kid' in 2005, a fictional novel which included some of his childhood experiences. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial fund has been established.
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Kris and Jess – I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sympathies and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Future days will be empty without my brother. Playing catch, fishing, camping, watching ball games together, gardening & sitting around remissing about past times & games at Ellis Park. Doesn’t seem possible he’s left us. Words can’t say enough about his, our loss.
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Our sympathy to Jeff and Kris and Kirk. Ron was an old friend, beginning with the softball years. In recent times, he would call several times a year to keep in touch; and would usually recite one of his poems for us. We read and enjoyed his book. Blessings and prayers, Jim and Percy
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It’s difficult to know what is appropriate to say at a time like this. I know my sister and I obviously feel a terrible loss, and it will be some time before we can overcome the sadness to celebrate what our father contributed to the world.
Earlier in his life, my dad had a passion for baseball and softball that at times consumed his life direction. He loved not just the game, but the competition, and ultimately the people around the game. As is true of us all at times, his thoughts didn’t always mirror others, but I commend him for being committed to the ideals he embraced, even when they were unpopular.
The scorebook of his middle years isn’t necessarily filled with accomplishment, but what he attained during this period of time was life experience. Whether living in Cedar Rapids, Virginia, Kansas City, Las Vegas or San Diego, he would relate to me stories and encounters that would leave me shaking my head. It wasn’t a life I would or could embrace, yet the transferrance of his experiences through his stories is something I will truly miss.
Later in life, I believe my father came to terms with his life choices. As those that knew him well can attest, he wasn’t motivated by status or material things, and often gravitated to those less fortunate or accomplished. I suppose they were his peers. He loved to write poetry, and was very proud of the book “Stumptown Kid” which he published collaboratively with Carol Gorman. At the time of his death, he was actually formulating a storyline for a new book, again with a baseball theme. He had a thousand stories about growing up in the “Hayes Valley,” as he referred to the neighborhood around Hayes Elementary, and some of those experiences made their way into the final draft of the book.
Whether you found my father to be a friend or occasional adversary, I ask that you consider what I was able to conclude in his later years. He was a man that was possessed with a thirst for knowledge, and although he obtained much of that knowledge through unconventional means, he leaves this phase of his existence knowing things about life I wouldn’t even have the courage to question.
My father was always mesmerized by Bobby Thomson’s home run to win the 1951 pennant for the New York Giants. It was an improbable event, and still ranks among the top moments in baseball history. When we would talk about his book ideas, that moment always dominated the conversation, as he wanted to incorporate that moment into the book’s storyline. Whenever I see that moment replayed on television or written about in a newspaper, I immediately think of my dad, and I hope those of you that knew him best will now share that reaction as a tribute to his legacy.
My sister and I mourn his death, and we both know that above all, he loved us with as much capacity as he was capable of. For that, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
So sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. So hard to believe he’s gone. I was married Kirk and I knew Ron well. Although some of his lifestyle, I wasn’t in favor of, he was never anything but nice to me.
Ron and Carolyn stayed with us after the fire in the apartment house. Ron cooked, did my laundry, and did my dishes. He was very pleasant the whole time they stayed with us.
Jeff,Kris,Marv and, of course Kirk. I will put you in my prayers that this pain will pass quickly for you. It will never completly go away, but you will learn to live with it and it will get easier.
I spoke with Kirk today and told him I would be at the services,if I could,but it’s just not possible now.
I will be there in spirit as I know Ron will be too.
What an honest and beautiful tribute Ron’s children have posted in memory of their dad. My memories of Ron go way back to Junior High School, a time when Ron gave me a wooden chopping block he had made in shop class, a chopping block that I still have today. He was an inspiration to others that played ball and will surely be missed. I wasn’t aware of the “Stumptown Kid” book, but will most definitely try to get a copy. My thoughts are with the family.
A truer friend they’ll never be.
Than my best friend Ronald Findley.
I’ll miss you most ever 6 am.
Dreaming our dreams of down the road again.
I know your smilin down with your mom and friends.
And I/ll toast one to you until we meet again.
Rainbows,Smiles,Love,
Co
Sincere respects to Ron’s family and friends. I have known Ron for many years, through different endeavors. He was one of the very best fast pitch softball players that ever played the game,his fierce comradery and pure talent to me were second to none. Steve Calvert and family
Jeff and Kris,
I have many fond memories about conversations with your Dad. His memories of ‘Hayes Valley’ especially intrigued me as my late Dad and uncles all played at Hayes Field on state champion Wilson High School teams. I also remember growing up attending Major open softball games. When the lights would take effect on diamond one the world would become magic. One of my first favorite players and heros was Welty Ways Ron Findley. Man could he hit. Man could he play ball. To get a chance to know him and become his friend later in life was special for me and it was always a thrill to sit down with Ron and listen to what was on his mind on that particular day. And our discussions about baseball and softball will always be remembered and treasured. God Bless You Ron.
Jeff & Sondra, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad’s death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I remember Ron from the many years that my dad, Bob Mathews played ball with or against Ron, and I know Dad had nothing but respect and admiration for him. I know he’ll be glad to have Ron up in heaven with him, so they can play ball forever!
Sorry to hear about your dad Jeff. Just like with my dad; I am sure our love for softball and sports in general can be traced back to our upbringing on the diamonds. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
KRIS,
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD. I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOU.
Our class read the book, Stumptown Kid, that Ron co-wrote with Carol Gorman. It is now a favorite. Here are what some kids said about the book:
Hannah-I especially liked the part about when Charlie was running away from Ruckus. It was an adventurous part!
Heavenlei-I like the part when When Charlie and Luther are trying are trying to get away from Ruckus. It made me really nervous.
Abby-I was scared at the part when Charlie climbed out of his window and snuck down to see Luther at his camp.
Sarah- I liked reading about all the baseball parts.
Willow- I liked the part when they played the Wildcats because Luther was a much better coach. I like when Luther gives all the kids advice and makes them believe in themselves.
Zach- I’m sorry to hear about Ron. it was really cool that he co-authored the book. I really liked the book.
Thomas- I’m really sorry to hear about Ron. Stumptown Kid is a great story, a work of art, and a masterpiece.
Caleb- I’m sorry your loss. I love the Stumptown Kid book.
As you can see, Ron is an amazing person in the eyes of the 3rd Graders. We are sorry for your loss.
Mrs. Kim Heckart
We would like start out by saying we are very sorry for your loss. For a number of years we have read our third graders Stumptown Kid. Soon it became a favorite in our classes. The kids “beg” me to keep reading the book. They would listen to me read it all day if we could. Carol and Ron certainly had written a special book and Ron will be remembered by many third graders who were fortunate enough to hear and read his book.