I want to start off by agreeing with you, your daughter Louisa is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. I know, Ron, that you wanted so much for her and I to become friends.  I am pleased to tell you that not only do I adore her but I also consider her as close to a sister that I will ever have.  As long as I am here and as long as she will let me, I consider her family and will always have her back.  You have a legacy, you live through Louisa(the closest thing to you) myself and Riley.  I am heartbroken that Riley will never again feel your love, warm touch and see for herself the goodness in your heart.  But through Louisa and all of the many people including myself who love you, she will know exactly the type of person your were.  Ron E. Strader you were more of a man than most men even attempt to become.  You had integrity, self-worth, you were selfless and just all-around amazing person.
In closing I wrote a poem for you, I could go on but I will sum it up with this.

 Ron 
You were like a father figure to me,
You loved me unconditionally.

Through good times and bad you held my hand,
We shared a special love that some cant understand.

The smile that you gave me every time I came to see you,
You made me feel so special I promise you its true.

Countless hours spent at the bar you and me together, 
There is nothing else Id trade them for, not anything, not ever. 

I followed you from bar to bar I didn't care where to,
The Eagles perhaps the Legion, the Moose or VFW.

Going out of your way to help people in need,
Were one of many attributes you had and did succeed. 

I could go on and on for pages of how great a man you were,
The people who really knew you would definitely concur.

Love you

Dad, I love the time we shared together and a huge part of me is gone without you.  I know that you are in a better place and no longer suffering anymore.  You will always be a major part of my life no matter what. I will miss our daddy daughter nights having dinner together and our moments of laughter and watching sports. Most of all, I will miss you telling me you love me.  I love you with all my heart and look forward to the day when I can see you again.

This candle is for you dad. We had a mutual respect for one another. We always did what we said we were going to do and stuck to it. I'm happy my family (especially your grandchildren) were on you mind and in your heart. While I'm sad that you're gone, I know that you are in a better place. I've continued to love you thru our differences and will continue to love you old man... until we see you again!

Ron & I worked together for many years. We had some good laughs. Rest in Peace, Ron. Condolences to his family & friends. Shawn MacPherson, Ridgeview High School.

My brother, Ron and I grew up together in a difficult environment with our Daddy sick and in the VA Hospital most of our lives, dying at the early age of 47, leaving Mother with 3 young boys to raise.  Ron left home and joined the Navy, met Virgie in the Philippines, bringing her back to the States, having 2 girls, and traveling the world as an jet mechanic on airline carriers until he retired.  He enjoyed working at the school until he retired from the Bd. of Ed. (dbl.-dipper) and running his landscape business.  Getting his Social Security (triple-dipper).  He said running his small lawn business "gives me some pocket change to spend at the VFW" (where he enjoyed visiting (shooting the "BS") with his friends every evening.  Being struck with the "BIG C" (throat cancer) was not easy for him.  He comes from a "big bunch of talkers".  My husband used to say when I had laryngitis, "God is blessing me", and Ron told him, "That's the truth! Ha-Ha"  I told him the saddest part to me was remembering what a beautiful singing voice he had as a boy (Select Member of the Tucson City Boys Choir - they starred on the Ed Sullivan Show on Natl. TV). Our whole family was musical - a blessing!  My, what changes life deals us.  I'm thankful my brother and I were always able to stay close over the years.  I take comfort in knowing he is now in a better place where he will not have to suffer.  I will miss having Ron to talk with in the future when I need some TLC!

Ron was a friend of mine and I am sure most of Ron's friends would agree that one thing he excelled at most was standing firm upon his principles.  After military service he worked successfully at Ridgeview HS for many years until he became eligible to retire for the third time with Social Security.  I enjoyed being in the company of Ron at VFW post 8255 for his 3:30 daily appearance.  Due to Ron's recent illness and a few other minor reasons he had to adjust this daily ritual and the first time since I met him that he showed an interest in his own well-being and not others which he did in a somewhat covert manner.  So now it has come to pass and again we all are being expected to say farewell to a good friend until we all meet again.  Rest in peace Ron, I am sure all of the pain and sorrow is now gone and you are in a most wonderful place.

OBITUARY

Ronald Eugene Strader

1 August, 1945 – 19 June, 2016

Hardage - Giddens Holly Hill Funeral Home & Hardage-Giddens Holly Hill Memorial Park

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