Ron Bennett
March 10, 1959 ~ March 12, 2017
Ronald Bennett Jr., of Cedar Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 12, 2017, at his home. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2017, at the funeral home, as well as one hour prior to the service. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his mother, Ruth Bennett (Dean Gillis); siblings, Shawn West, Mark (Sarah Sutton) Bennett, Dale Bennett (Anne Gard), Kelley McNeese, and Jeffery (Stacey) Bennett; six nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and -nephews; special cousin, Billy Bennett; many aunts, uncles, extended family members, and friends; and cats, Danny and Cy.
Ronald Michael Bennett Jr. was born March 10, 1959, to Ronald Sr. and Ruth (McClure) Bennett, in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Regis High School in 1977, then attended Iowa State. Most recently, he worked for Rockwell Collins in Maintenance, where he worked with his cousin and best friend, Billy. Ron enjoyed music, and singing for different bands as well as running his own karaoke business. He was interested in aviation, always attending the Osh Kosh Air Show. He and Billy could often be found bidding on items at local auctions and sales. Ron volunteered for the American Diabetes Association on many occasions, including the Tour de Cure. Ron participated in yearly deer hunting trips with his family after being taught by his grandfather, Ed McClure; it was a family tradition, even if he wasn't any good. He loved spending time with animals and kids and was always having fun with and entertaining the kids at family events. He was a giving, supportive person, and cared immensely for others.
Ron was preceded in death by his father Ronald M. Bennett Sr.; grandparents; brother-in-law, Bob West; several aunts and uncles; and cat, Fat Baby.
Memorials may be directed to the family to contribute to causes Ron would appreciate.
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Since I was introduced to Ron, he made me feel like family. He was always fun and goofy with Alex, Ashton, and Ava. There was always laughter when Uncle Ron was around like the time him and his brothers started throwing buns at each other at Ryan’s Steakhouse! My boys still talk about that. Uncle Ron had the biggest heart for everyone from all paths of life. He was so giving of his time and expertise. He always told me how proud he was of us as a family. There are so many memories that I will carry with us. We will miss you Ron until we meet again.
To the Bennett family-Terribly sorry to read about your loss.Take care.
Also preceded in death by his soul mate and love of nearly 30 years, Karen Wimer.
Uncle Ron, I love you. I will miss you. It can’t be said more simply than that.
<3
Ruth,
Our hearts go out to you during this season of life. We are praying for you and your family.
Steve & Susan Billings
Wichita, KS
My love for you and your entire family pours at this time.
Ruth & Dean: I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ronnie,
You were more than a brother…you were my friend and father figure. Someone who never judged others and a friend to everyone you met. I can’t say goodbye because you are so much a part of me. You were always there for Dominic and me and picked me up so many times and helped me to go on when things were bad. I grieve for the loss of a great man who always put others first and took care of so many. I will think of you every day until it is my turn to join you and our other loved ones. I love you Ronnie. You are forever in my heart.
Kelley
<3
Not sure where to start or what to even say. I have known Ron since sometime after Jeff and I became friends in Second Grade 1973. I do not remember meeting him, he was always just there. Our families grew up and went to school together, the history is long and not for the faint of heart. When my family came apart following my father and oldest brother’s deaths in 1978, I misspent much of my time at the Bennett household and have a legion of great memories there. I was a shy kid and Ron became somewhat of a surrogate older brother in my teen years, vouching for me when someone asked if I was “cool”, to which Ron would say “Huh? Yeah, that’s Moleman, he’s fine.” Ron’s humor, broad knowledge and musical talents were all very memorable qualities, he was great with kids and I always thought it was a shame he never got to be a father, he would have been a great one. It had been a very rough past year without his Karen, may my surrogate big brother rest in peace.
I knew Ron from Rockwell Collins. He was such a kind, big hearted man. I know that his sprite will truly be missed by his family and friends.
Rest in peace now my friend.
Carol
My brothers and I grew up with Ron through Boy Scouts Troop#27, Regis High School and more–especially his birthdays when the two of us would cut loose when we were younger. I will miss him and the crazy things we did growing up. Here is one for the flying flaming marshmallows of our boy scout patrol to parking cars on front lawns.
J.C.O’Brien
LAS VEGAS, NV
I am sending condolences for all of the Bennett family. The lives of the Ames’s and the Bennett’s have been intertwined for as long as I can remember. My heart truly aches. Ron was a great guy. May God carry you all through this heartbreaking time. He has certainly been there for me, just have you all been for us. Love and hugs.
Love you Ronny. I am going to miss your smile and great, kind heart and most especially your smarts and laughter. You always had the coolest cats and the biggest hug. May the warmth of all our love shine on you as you rest in the palm of God’s hand.
Sorry for your loss… Thoughts and prayers to the family
I was introduced to Ron by his brother Mark. The respect Jeff, Dale and Mark showed Ron “Round-o” was well earned in my view. A special guy who knew the importance of expressing an opinion. Ruth (Dean), Mark, Dale, Jeff, sorry to hear he left us so soon.. Peace.
They definitely broke the mold after you Ron! You are one of a kind in the best way possible. They should have kept the mold because this world could sure use millions more like you. Until I see you again, hopefully not soon, much love and thanks!
Ron, you weren’t supposed to go before me. We will miss your laughter and joking around. The friendly banter that marked the closeness we all shared. The teasing of your nieces and nephews. We will always keep you forever in our hearts.
Ron was a very friendly guy, I went to high school with him. One time in the 9th grade at Regis we had a trick to getting free pop out of the Pop machine…Actually, we would just kick it, in a certain place.. One time we weren’t so lucky, Around the corner came Tom Good that was the last time we got free pop out the the pop machine. .Lots of great memories with Ron..
Ron was one of the most intelligent, humorous, witty, empathetic and well-rounded people I have ever known. He was a great listener and conversationalist. He also was always there to help a friend in need and lift the spirits of those in his presence. Thanks Ron for all those whose lives you touched and blessed. Your spirit lives on in all of us.
I loved Ron! I haven’t seen him in years though but I have great memories. We were in a band called Benign Indifference (which his creative mind named for us) and we recorded our all original music at a local studio. Ron was our singer. When we jammed he would make up words and melodies and we would record all our jams and write songs off what we jammed. It was awesome! He was very talented that way and a really good singer. I still have cassette tapes of our music we did at the studio. He will be missed.
I haven’t seen Ron since high school. I was just talking about him to some friends of mine the other day. He was one of a kind. An awesome person. I will forever have great memories.