As the sun began to set on the evening of April 29, 2025, Ronald “Ron” Ring left this world, steadfast in his belief that this was not the end for him, but the beginning. June 1, 1941 - April 29, 2025. He often said that we aren’t humans who have spiritual experiences but are spiritual beings who have human experiences.
His human experience, as we knew him, was rich in all the ways that matter: He was blessed with many friends and family. He was respected, loved, and admired for his sense of humor, generosity, work ethic, and his strong faith. At the same time, he had enough challenges in his life to teach him courage and keep him humble and prayerful.
Ron’s love for people was unique in many ways. He never felt he had to impress anyone with who HE was, but instead, was sincerely interested in who THEY were. He liked to make people laugh and was always ready with a witty remark when an opportunity presented itself. He lived a life that reflected his deeply held values, which could be summed up as “live simply, love deeply, forgive always, pray daily, worship often, give generously and be thankful.” Ron did give generously of his time, his money and his heart.
Ron was a lifelong resident of Montana. While he spent part of his childhood in Glendive and in Lewistown, he boasted that he was born in Billings, went to high school five blocks from where he was born, and attended college eight blocks from where he was born. During his adult years he did travel quite a bit, seeing every part of the country and a few foreign ports, but Billings was always home.
Ron started working when he was 12 and retired at 71. During those years he always had at least one full-time job, and sometimes one or two part-time jobs in addition. He learned to do carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work as well as basic automotive repair. Ron joined the Army Reserves after high school and then attended Eastern Montana College, for a year, but left school in 1962 when he married Chere McVey and went to work full time to support their family and her through her college career. Together, Ron and Chere raised four children: Rhona, Kim, Roby, and Chad. The couple divorced in 2001.
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Among the many jobs he had over his lifetime - and there were MANY - one of his favorites was as an over-the road truck driver. He loved early mornings behind the wheel, watching the sun come up and just enjoying the open road. He had many stories to share of his adventures during the many years he held this job.
In the bitter cold winter of 1979, Ron was huddled against his truck where the biting sleet seemed to cut into him as he put chains on the tires to make his way safely over the next few hundred miles, it occurred to him then that there had to be a better way to make a living. He decided to go into real estate and turned his attention to studying for the licensing exam. Within a matter of only a few years, he was elected president of the Billings Realtors Association and, in 1992, he was elected president to the Montana Association of Realtors. He also served as a national director for 12 years. In addition to selling real estate, Ron became a property manager with his business partner and dear friend, Pam Willett.
For several years after his marriage ended, Ron lived in solitude with his hours filled with work, church and as much golf as he could get away with. Then one day he heard the name of an old friend mentioned and within hours, the solitude was at an end. Lana had been a neighbor and good friend in high school and she had moved back to Billings a few years earlier. It had been nearly 40 years since they’d seen each other but they met for lunch and found their friendship as alive as when they last met as teenagers. That friendship grew into a deep and lasting love, one that grew stronger with time and was an unbreakable bond. They chose not to marry but referred to each other as “my unmarried spouse” because they were deeply committed to each other but each liked the independence of living alone.
Ron enjoyed fishing and hunting, but at age 60 found his true calling: golf. It’s hard at that age to develop the skill to excel at the sport but, as with everything, it was the challenge and the fellowship his new hobby offered that drew him. After taking up golf, Ron claimed he wasn’t good for much else. This, to be sure, was not true. Ron was devoted to his faith, attending mass as often as possible.
He spent a great deal of time serving in prison ministry beginning in 1982. He spent an hour every Sunday facilitating a bible study at the Yellowstone County Detention Center (until Covid halted their access) and he participated in ministry in Deer Lodge at least one day every month. He and the others in this ministry estimated they traveled over 6,000 mile to Montana State Prison over the years. During those visits, Ron got to know many of the famous and infamous, and was always compassionate and looked for the good in everyone.” He was also a powerful supporter of the Cum Christo, Adoration Chapel and Jesus. He graduated to heaven … with honors.
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Ron is survived by his children: Rhona (Tim) Webb and Chad Ring. He was known as Grandpa to Lyndsay (Jeff) VanSteenburgh, Mike (Hannah) Glassing and Joe (Shyanne) Ryan and affectionately called Pepparoni (Papa Ronnie) by the Greats: Emma, Parker, Malia, Sawyer, Harrison and Leighton. His is also survived by his unmarried spouse, Lana Cummins and her family, Jim, Todd and Brenda, his former wife, Chere Ring, two sisters, Sharon (Bob) Babcock and Vicki (Denny, deceased) Wirkkala and many cousins and countless friends.
Leading the heavenly welcome line behind Jesus were his two treasured and very missed children Kim Ryan and Roby Ring, his beloved parents, Emma and Ed Ring, and many special family members and close friends.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church, (717 18th St W, Billings) at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 8, 2025 followed by the “best after service lunch” by the ladies of the church. Both services will be live streamed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Gratitude in Action, 1234 Avenue C, Billings, MT 59102, Montana Rescue Mission, 2822 Minnesota Ave, Billings, MT 59101, St Vincent de Paul, 3005 1st Ave S, Billings, MT 59101 or charity of your choice. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary (1001 Alderson, Billings).
Remembering Curtis Chad Morgan
Curtis Chad Morgan of Gastonia NC passed away on Tuesday August 20, 2024 at Caromont Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Curtis Martin Pagoota and Sherry Denise Martin and the love of long time partner Shannon Bramblet Romine which all proceeded him in death. He is survived by one son, four brothers, one sister, three uncles and step mother.
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Chad enjoyed spending time with friends and family while fishing on the boat. He was great help to his step mother fixing things around her house after the passing of his father. He was smart and talented and could fix anything. Chad worked along side his dad as a painter in the family painting business for years and maintained a close relationship with his ex wife as they coparented there son. He adored his little dog bongo that never left his side.
Robert “Bobby” J. Ring
Robert “Bobby” J. Ring, 79, of Terre Haute passed away Friday November 3, 2023 in Southwood Healthcare Center. He worked for Terre Haute Malleable and Doxie Food.
Bobby was born October 14, 1944 in Terre Haute to Robert V. and Bessie (Holdaway) Ring. He is survived by his sister, Rebecca “Becky” Cooprider; twin brother William “Bill” Ring (Nancy Miller) and brother, Ed Ring (Sheri); nephews, Jeff Cooprider, Kevin Cooprider (Julie), Eric Cooprider (Christina), Jason Ring, and Chad Ring (Jennifer); great-niece, Coen Cooprider and great-nephew, Camden Cooprider. He was preceded in death by his wife LaDonna (Dietz) Ring Bobby enjoyed working crossword puzzles and he loved to eat.
Visitation will be Thursday November 9, 2023 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm in DeBaun Springhill Chapel with funeral services starting at 1:00 pm in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Farmersburg West Lawn Cemetery.
Lawrence Jerome “Jerry” Ring: A Life of Service and Faith
Lawrence Jerome “Jerry” Ring passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Jerry was born to Bert and Opal (King) Ring on Monday, November 9, 1931 in Okmulgee, OK. Jerry graduated from Hominy High School in May,1950 and then married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Corbell, on his birthday, November 9, 1950.
Jerry served in the U.S. Army from June 18, 1952 - March 08,1962. While stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC, they had Colleen Gayle in 1954, followed by Carrie Lynn being born while stationed in Germany,1957.
Jerry wore many hats while in service, including both the Green Beret, as an Army Ranger in Special Forces and Maroon Beret, as he was Airborne Forces. The most horrific hat he wore was being a P.O.W. for 13 months. However, his most treasured hat was the helmet of a Paratrooper. Army 101st, 82nd, and 11th Airborne Divisions. He made 402 jumps from the C-119 and 35 skydives, totaling 437 jumps. One of the 437 jumps was during combat, which earned him the star he wore proudly in the center of his airborne patch. He was a member of the Oklahoma All Airborne Chapter, 82nd Airborne Association, and a part of the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. One thing he enjoyed every year was having the honor and privilege to be Honorary Pinner at the jump school in Frederick, OK. Jerry pinned wings on graduates from all over the United States and many foreign countries.
Jerry’s war achievements go beyond words, amongst his many earnings, he received two Purple Hearts during battle and the highest award of Valor that a solider can receive. On March 25, 2022, Jerry was able to take an extra special road trip to Ft. Benning, GA in order to pin his actual jump wings onto his oldest grandson, Chad’s uniform. Jerry then took Chad’s wings and wore them proudly on his airborne hat, to this day. This was yet a very important and special moment for Jerry and Chad.
Jerry then went on to OBU from 1962 to 1965, majoring in both Philosophy and Psychology, with minors in Religious Education, including Bible and Greek language. After the service, Jerry also wore many more hats, including Ordained Minister, Youth Pastor, and song leader, as well as employee hats for Phillips 66, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and Zebco.
He enjoyed art and was an outstanding artist, even publishing a series of comics, and was an avid reader. He was most passionate about God’s Word and Theological Studies, including Eschatology. He loved teaching Bible study at Prairie Point Assisting Living Center in Stroud. Jerry loved to spend time with his family - they came first. He was well liked by all he met. Although he is securely resting in His Savior’s arms (and probably leading music for an angelic choir), he will be sorely missed here on earth by his friends and family.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Opal Ring; his brother, Albert Ring; his former wife, Betty Shadley; and his special friend, Mrs. Cecil Lankford.
Jerry leaves behind his daughters, Colleen Patterson (Lloyd) of Ponca City, Carrie Kaup (Mike) of Tonkawa; grandchildren, Ashley Miller, Amie Huster, Chad Patterson (Amber), Rachael Young (Matt), and Levi Kaup (Shelby); as well as his “Grandotters” Cherie Lindsey, Elysia Wages, and Melody Hightower; his great-grandchildren, Alyda Alvarez (Peter), Lexie Huster, Logan Huster, James ‘Wyatt’ Patterson, Alexander Kaup, Amelia Kaup and several other extended family members, and innumerable lives he touched during his life.
There will be a come and go visitation Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 9am - 8pm at the funeral home. Graveside Service will be Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11am at Stroud Cemetery. A guest book is available to share your memories on-line. Please visit www.ParksBrothers.net.
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