Ronald was born on November 2, 1947 in Atwater, California to Leon Burley and Ella Lee Grisby. He is the second eldest of 8 children. He did all his schooling in Atwater and graduated from Atwater High in 1965. He was drafted to the Vietnam War and served 2 years in the Army. He earned the rank of sergeant and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was an engineer at Pacific Bell and retired after 30 years. Then he continued his education at the University of San Francisco where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. Then started his second career as a financial advisor. He was also a substitute teacher for the Merced school district in recent years.
Ron (Dale) loved going to the gym 7-days a week where he exercised, laughed, and talked with his friends. He was also an avid golfer. You could find him on the golf course with his golf buddies several days a week. He was very friendly and outgoing- no one was a stranger to him. He loved sports! His favorite football team was the San Francisco 49ers and his favorite baseball team was the San Francisco Giants.
Ron was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was married to his honey bunny, Gloria, for 53 years. To this union came son Ronald Jr. (Terry), son Michael, and daughter Dana.
He is preceded in death by his father Leon, his mother Ella, two brothers Walter and Richard, and one sister Vickie. He is survived by his wife Gloria; two sons Ronald Jr. and Michael; daughter Dana; and son Troy; three grandchildren Michael Jr., Andre, Amanda; and one great granddaughter Mila. He also leaves behind his brother Eric (Diane) Grisby, sister Melanie (Steve) Ditzenberger, sister Annette Spencer, sister Anita Grisby, sister-in-law Sylvia Grisby, brother-in-law Mike Rolland, sister-in-law Donna Grisby, and 14 nieces and nephews. We love him dearly and he will be truly missed.
A visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 19th from 2:00pm – 7:00pm and service on Wednesday, January 20th at 1:00pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, CA 95340. The interment will be on Thursday, January 21st at 11:00am at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery at 32053 McCabe Road, Santa Nella, CA 95322.
