Ronald Wayne Fortner was born January 6, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Raymond Terrell Fortner and Malta Francis Ewing. “Ronnie” was the youngest son in a family of six children. He was raised on the Star Brand Ranch in Kaufman, Texas where his father (Raymond), uncle “Buster” Fortner, and grandfather “Paw” Crockett Newt Fortner worked. He grew up learning the value of hard work.
Ronnie “Doc” Fortner attended and graduated from Kaufman High School in 1964. Soon after graduation Ronnie entered the Army National Guard Reserves. Just prior to leaving for basic training, he was set up by a friend on a blind date with a “Kemp girl”, Trona Eloise Tharp (daughter to Edgar Tharp and Blanche Ealy) who was also one of six children. The two ended up falling in love…and on August 5, 1966 the two were married. Ronnie served in Army National Guard Reserves for six years and was honorably discharged October 22, 1971. For 25 years Ronnie was a proud fireman for the city of Mesquite, Texas where he worked with his “Brothers” at Station 1 on “C” shift. “Doc” became an EMT for the fire department in 1977 and in 1983, he became one of the first paramedics for the Mesquite Fire Department. “Doc” retired from the fire department in 1995. After retiring from the fire department, Ronnie started his own business, worked on the family farm, and eventually took a position working for Texas Parks and Wildlife as a Park Ranger at Purtis Creek State Park. On July 31, 2014, Ronnie retired from Texas Parks and Wildlife to focus on working on the family farm.
As proud as Ronnie was of his important and rewarding job at the fire department, nothing was more important to Ronnie than his family. Ronnie and Eloise raised three children: daughter Sandy, son Ronnie Jr “Bubba”, and son Shane “Shane-O” on their beloved farm in the Arcadia community outside of Kemp, Texas. Ronnie and Ellie “adopted” and/or fostered more children along the way…becoming “Daddy and Momma” to more than a few and loving each and every one of them. Ronnie would say that other than being a child of the Almighty God and follower of Jesus Christ, his family was his greatest accomplishment. He deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and was incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
Ronnie was loved by many…He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, cousin, uncle, friend, coworker, and neighbor. He had an incredible sense of humor and wit. His charisma and personality would light up a room. His heart was huge, and he never met a stranger. If you needed help, Ronnie Fortner was your man…He would drop everything to help someone in need. He was loved by all that knew him…
“Daddy” to:
Sandy and husband Jimmy Watson, Ronald Wayne Fortner, Jr and wife Jeannie,
Rodney Shane Fortner and wife Christina, Terry Vieregge and wife Paula…
“Papa” to:
Jimmy Watson, Jr. and his wife Olivia, and their children - Eric, Dominic, and Victoria…
Rachel Lane and husband Ben, and their children - Cutter, Maggie, Raina, and Jasper…
Ryan Fortner and his son Jesse…
Joshua Watson and his wife Tanita, and their children- Kyler, Hannah, Wyatt, Carli, and Ryan…
Savannah Stone and her children Abby and Easton…
Noah Watson and his wife Samantha, and their children- Noah, Delilah, Lucah, and Isaiah…
Caleb Fortner and his son Dawson…
Sarah Stafford and her husband Matthew…
Shaylee, Cara, and Jackson Fortner…
Rebecca, Elijah, and Jacob Watson…
Step grandchildren: Bobby, Zachary, Caitlin, Austen and his children, Alissa and her son Liam, Dillan, and Kaitlynn…
Other beloved family members include…
Brothers: Raymond Fortner, Jr (and late wife Gerri) and Jackie Fortner (and wife Ruth Ann), Sisters: Jean “Sissy” Upchurch (and late husband Lewis), Doris Jo Shelley (and husband Tommy), and the late Vickie Hamilton (and husband Thomas)…along with numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, Sisters-in-Law and Brothers-in-Law (whom he loved as if they were his own sisters and brothers), and the many fostered/“adopted” children who became part of the family over the years.
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