Ronald Eugene Wellfare

Ron, the youngest of three boys to Jessie and Roberta Wellfare, was born February 21,1939 in Lansing, MI.

Ron graduated from J.W. Sexton High School. He then began college at The University of Oklahoma, attended for one semester, then transferred to Michigan State University. It was this summer transition between colleges that he met his wife of 63 years, Faye A. Crofts, and they married June 24,1961. After graduating from MSU, Ron worked for Michigan National Bank before transitioning to a 35-year career at Oldsmobile working in purchasing.

Ron was a loving husband, and a wonderful father to two children Lisa and David. Even though work had Ron on the road some of the time, summers were spent fulfilling well-planned family vacations, long weekends in Grayling, coaching the kids' teams, or time with family and friends...often gathering by the family pool. In 1989, after months of planning, the family even took an epic 3-week vacation out west in an RV to visit many national parks. All that planning paid off: the vacation made a lasting impression, with stories shared long after, often with the grandkids.

Ron had a gift for humor and having fun which was inspired by his Uncle Lyle and shared that with all who knew him. In his early days, he was known as a prankster. Seemed he always had a new joke to share, but also never disappointed with his old standbys. Ron's quick wit, unmatched sense of humor, and comic timing were known, along with his ability to light up any room as a great public speaker. Ron was never the loudest person in the room, but more likely than not, he was the funniest. He had the true gift of making people laugh, and loved practical jokes or to scare you! It wasn’t unusual for him to jump out from behind a corner or chase you, occasionally even with a snake or frog from around the pool and throw it down your swimsuit! Whatever the case, he loved to joke around.

Ron was a wonderful, dedicated grandpa to six awesome grandchildren. He loved to see them all happy, to encourage their curiosity, and support their interests. Whether he was giving tractor rides, boat rides, ball or diving lessons, he always made sure the grandkids were included and having fun. He was a proud and dedicated graduate of MSU, continuing to enjoy Spartan sporting events with friends and family for decades.

He also loved to fish, golf, bowl, travel, was an avid puzzles-solver, and play games with family and friends. Ron devoured books, crosswords, later sudoku, and baseball. And, of course, he was a master at diving...from a very early age.

Ron's dedication as a competitive athlete led to his excelling in so much of what he did. He started diving at a young age, dove in high school, college, army, and eventually competed in the PanAm trials. As Lisa and David grew, he supported their interests, coaching softball in the earlier years, then starting coaching diving in the late 80’s for Lansing Eastern High School.. That eventually led him to coaching all three Lansing high schools, for both boys and girls. Over the years he had numerous Conference Champions and a handful of divers that did very well in the State meets. In 2010, Ron was awarded the Bruce Harlan Award, the highest honor a diving coach can receive in the state of Michigan.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Faye Wellfare; children Lisa Angus (Peter), David M. Wellfare (Kari); grandchildren Lachlan, Audrey, Graham, and Katherine Angus, and Kiley and Delaney Wellfare. He was preceded in death by two brothers Richard and Robert; and his parents Jesse and Roberta.

He touched so many lives. Please feel free to share a story or memory of Ron that still makes you smile, and envision he's having a Manhattan Up accompanied by a Winston, and making all his heavenly friends and family laugh with his stories!

A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2025.