Ronald Edward Leon, age 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, April 29, 2022, after a battle with Merkel cell carcinoma. Ronald was born on Nov. 4, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Edward and Marie Leon.
On June 11, 1960, at Maddison Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, Ronald married the love of his life, Carlous Patricia “Pat” Leon, and together they would celebrate just shy of 62 loving years together. Ronald graduated from Carnegie Mellon University on June 10, 1961, with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and minors in electrical engineering and metallurgy. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Divinity from Cornerstone University on June 4, 1965, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ron was honored to pastor at Franklin Baptist Church in Franklin, Michigan, from 1965 to 1977.
Ronald celebrated 50 years of service in the combustion industry starting at Industrial Burner System (IBS) in 1965, and continuing with Eclipse, Inc. after the acquisition of IBS. He retired in 2015 after being inducted into the “Hall of Flame” in 2013 honoring his tireless services as a leader and inspiration to Eclipse, his industry, and community. “Like the Eternal Flame… Your achievements will be everlasting,” his award states.
This was true not only in his professional life, but also in his personal life and spiritual life. Ronald’s faithful service and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, left a lasting impact on his family and friends. His son Nathan, who does summer mission work in Zimbabwe, told us of a Shona proverb that states: “When an elder dies, a library is burned.” While we do feel that great loss, we are reminded that Ronald freely shared his vast library of knowledge and wisdom with all who knew him. His library did not perish but lives on in all of us who knew and loved him.
Ronald resided in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for almost 50 years and then retired to Mason, Michigan, in 2016.
Ron will be forever remembered for his active involvements serving at church, spending time with his family, his love for bicycling, boating, lifelong learning, and world travels.
Ronald is survived by his loving spouse, Carlous Patricia "Pat" Leon; his three children, Mary Beth (Mark) Sousa, Rachel Celeste (Steven) Anderson, and Nathan Edward (Diane) Leon; his loving grandchildren, Joshua Roys, Micah Roys, Sarah Anderson, Hannah Anderson, Jessica Leon, and Zachary Leon; his great-grandchildren, Murphy Roys, Isla Roys, Nora Roys, and Luke Roys; and his sister Margaret Leon.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, Michigan 48917, with visitation one hour prior starting at 10:30 a.m.
A second Memorial Service for those in the Southfield and Detroit area will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church, 28600 Lahser Rd, Southfield, Michigan 48034, with visitation one hour prior starting at 10:30 a.m.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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