Ronald Michael Dice

Ronald Michael Dice departed this world at the midnight hour as Monday, July 20th turned to Tuesday, July 21st. Ronald and his brother, Larry Frank Dice, were early Baby-Boomers having been born just a few minutes apart on January 13, 1947 at the Mission Hospital in Huntington Park, California. The young Dice family lived briefly in Long Beach before moving to Lawndale, California. A younger brother, Timothy, was added to the family in 1949. Ronald attended Lawndale Public Schools for many years and graduated from Lawndale High School as a proud member of the Class of 1965. Throughout his youth Ron and his family were active participants of a family summer camp experience run by Disciple Family Fellowship at a place called Camp Seely. Ron was employed for several years by TRW in Redondo Beach and proudly drove his VW Beetle to work every day.

On April 1, 1971 (no foolin’) he married Janet Marie Busuttil of Gardena, CA and became a convert to the Catholic faith. Within a few years, Ron and Janet had moved to the Pomona area and on March 6, 1974 they welcomed their one and only child, Jeffery Michael Dice (born in nearby Fontana, CA). Intending to seek employment in the airline industry, Ronald entered Mt. San Antonio College and received his Associate of Arts Degree in Air Transportation in January of 1980. After graduation, however, he decided to pursue a career with the United States Post Office. He was stationed at the Post Office in LaVerne, CA for over 30 years and was known to many on his routes. Ron loved attending plays, musicals and concerts. He had an interest in liturgical dance for a while and participated in the famous Valyermo Fall Festival for several years. Upon his retirement from the Postal Service, Ron became an avid traveler. His most memorable vacations included numerous cruises on Princess Cruise Lines. He traversed the globe on his cruises, including trips to Canada and Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, Great Britain, Europe, the Mediterranean, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Ron had a tenacious nature which allowed him to survive and thrive in spite of a terminal illness, which he fought for over 30 years. He was a staunch advocate for the right to good, personal health care!

He is survived by his mother, Dolores L. Barnbeck (formerly of Lawndale, now living in Williamsburg, Virginia). He is also survived by his son, Jeffrey Dice and daughter-in-law, Nadine of Ontario, CA; along with his brother Timothy Dice (Mary) of West Point, Virginia. Ron has two nieces (Laurie Koogler, Cady Dice) and three nephews (Brian, John and Jeremy Dice). Ron is fondly remembered by many close classmates from Lawndale High and many cousins and members of the Fehrmann family in Chicago, Illinois. He was especially close to his devoted cousin, Melody (Mirkes) Becker. The family is grateful for the extended care and support offered to Ron by long-time friend and traveling companion, Daniel Nelson of Sunland, CA.

Ronald is predeceased by his wife Janet Dice, his loving grandmother, Alice F. Iler, grandfather Charles E. Iler (Evelyn), fraternal twin Larry Dice, step-father Carl Barnbeck, and father Wilbur Dice. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a service and celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Pomona, CA.