Ronald Dexter McCormick

He was born October 9, 1936, in Muncie, Indiana to Floyd and Hazel (Pence) McCormick.

Ron graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1955. He played the clarinet in the band when it won the Indiana Band Contest in 1954, resulting in an invitation to the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C., where the band won first place. As a junior in 1954 Ron joined the Muncie Musicians Union, playing alto saxophone in the Rhythm Masters Dance Band. Ron attended Purdue University, with a full-ride Storer Scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Upon graduation from college, Ron accepted a position with the Los Angeles, California, County Engineer Department of Waterworks. With his degree and job position, he was eligible for the Critical Skills Program in the U.S. Army when he was called for duty. He spent three months in basic training at Fort Ord, California, and was assigned to non-active reserve for several years.

On September 24, 1960, Ron married Kay Freed, of Muncie, in the Wayfarers Chapel at Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They lived in Highland Park, California, until Ron was discharged from the Army, and they moved back to Muncie, Indiana.

Ron’s work as an engineer took him to Pierce Engineering Service, Anderson Tool and Engineering, Lynch Corporation, U.S. Engineering, and 37 years as chief engineer at Twoson Tool Company, where he retired in 2004.

Ron was a member of First Baptist Church, Muncie, Indiana, where he served as a deacon and moderator.

Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, golf and bowling. He was a member of the Normal City Fly Fishing Club and the Academy of Model Aeronautics where he flew radio-controlled model airplanes.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Hazel McCormick; brother, Floyd McCormick Jr., sister, Barbara Morris; and wife of 57 years, Kay (Freed) McCormick. He is survived by his children Troy (Lori) McCormick and Tracy McCormick-Dishman; his grandchildren Nicole (Cameron) Green; Jessica (Josh) Arend; Michael, Alexis and Zachary Dishman; and his great-grandchildren Genevieve, Abigail and Eleanor Green. He is also survived by his sister Regina (Gail) Gale; sister-in-law Mary Bridges; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 W. Kilgore Ave., Muncie, IN 47304. A private burial will take place in Elm Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.