It is with a VERY HEAVY HEART  that we announce the passing of Ronald William Hardesty. Born in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, 1943 & Passed away today December 18th, 2024.  My dad put up a very tough fight with Small Cell Lung cancer & he never  gave up fighting !   RON was an amazing father. My heart hurts today. I am so proud of my dad. He was very special.

    All of us are poorer with Ron's passing!   It's a great loss...

He briefly moved to California in 2013 when his house burned down in Reading, Michigan. He stayed for a year in California. It was not for him. It was too busy, too many people and  he missed his friends and mostly Vicki Ladd. 

 We did have a chance to spend some quality time with him and take him on some trips and share some wonderful lifetime experiences.

   I will always cherish those moments forever in my heart. He meant the world to me. 

Ron accomplished a lot in his life. He had two wonderful kids Mark & Mina.

His greatest LOVE Vicki LADD and his RED BARN and COFFEE BUDDIES Don & Pam Tipner, Darrel & Pat Williams, Cliff & Norma Gamble Stewart and Bob Abair. He loved to get together and talk about life and pursuit of happiness. Ron would stop by Mcdonald's on his way doing deliveries from the bank.  He would share jokes and stories with Bob and catch up on current events. Ron and Bob shared interest in firearms and would go shooting together.   Bob said I will miss my friend.....

He built two homes. The first one is in  Belleville, Michigan in 1964 and then again in Allen, Michigan 2021.

IF you needed some help with a project, Ron was there lending a helping hand. He loved his tools, and he loved to build things all the time. He had so many hobbies. He loved to watch football, and he loved the Kansas City Chiefs & Patrick Mahomes...

Ron's 1st job  was with Ford Motor Company. He started at 19 years old and worked for 31 years. He retired in 1985! 

When he retired, he took a part-time job at the Hillsdale County National Bank of Hillsdale Michigan for 15 years. He never stopped. He was always going somewhere with his friends or Vicki.  Ron and Vicki lived in seperate homes, but they were always together like PEAS & CARROTS.

This year Thanksgiving, we watched Detroit Loins win. We shared a Turkey Dinner. I am so Thankful for the time.  

He was a great friend to his buddies, Bob Abair, Don Tippener, and lot of the Coffee Buds, met every morning at the McDonald's in Hillsdale to go over the day and plans.  

We hold him in the greatest affection and respect. He was a very kind person, I will miss his sparkle and smile.  Ron had a great love for his Daughter Mina was a second to none!  Ron also loved his son Mark who stood the test of time with Ron!

On his days off, he would be riding on his Lawn Mower, or Back Hoe, or Tractor, or having fun watching some Action movies.  

He had 2 brothers and a sister. His older brother, Big Bruiser Dennis Hardesty passed away, Gerg Hardesty  I am not sure, and Sister Cherie passed away. 

In the wake of his departure he leaves behind, his Son Mark Hardesty & Son in Law Phil Hardesty,  Daughter Mina Freitas, and Son in law Michael Freitas, and Long time Girlfriend "Bestie" Victoria Ladd, a very kind and caring person, and all of his Coffee BUD'S.  My wish he could have lived another 10 years, God chose to take him today, He went to heaven with Loyalty to GOD. 

Praying for Sun to always shine on your back and to know we will see you soon POP. Hold some chairs for us to sit next to you while we will play some Andrea Bocelli and burn his favorite candle. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/ronald-hardesty/obituary/

Copy