Ronaldo Eduardo Tolentino

Ron took his final breath on Saturday, September 12—more than seven years after Alzheimer’s Disease began ushering him away from our world.

His words were far and few between, but Ron’s actions as a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather will echo for years to come.

Born in Manila, Ron came to the United States with his parents Pete and Marita by way of a U.S. military immigration story. Ronaldo became “Ronnie” as he grew up with his four brothers in El Paso. He studied Mechanical Engineering at UTEP, but was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He begrudgingly served for two years, and literally started carving a new path for himself.

After working various jobs in El Paso while helping his mother and younger brothers after the death of their father, Ron moved to Dallas where he became a meat cutter. He met his wife Bessie who worked at the same grocery store, and would go on to raise two children in the Carrollton area.

Over the years, Ron added creative flare to every meat counter he served, and used his tremendous work ethic to provide for his family. His hands were his greatest expression of love—using them to build decks, lay tile, mow lawns, and mend whatever was broken. He was the neighborhood handyman who never shied away from a request to fix, patch, paint, or problem solve. He didn’t even mind if he missed the first quarter of a Cowboys game, as long as the job was done.

In the end, an incurable disease took his mind and body from us. But we’ll remember him for what he did—always out of the goodness of his heart.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Pete and Marita, his brothers Eddie and Albert, and his father-in-law Horace. His memory lives on with his wife Bessie, son Andrew, daughter Stephanie, daughter-in-law Cara, daughter-in-law Rosalie, his mother-in-law Harumi, and his grandchildren Emiko, Toshiro, Tomo, and another who is preparing to see the world. He will also be dearly missed and remembered by his brothers Ernie and Willy; his brother-in-law JC, his sisters-in-law Jane, Josie, Elaine, Remy, Karol, and Tamar; his nieces Nicole, Chloe, Paige, Jocelyn, and Eliana; his nephews Pete, Eddie Jr., Marco, Ryan, Christopher, Jeffrey, Joseph, and Omar.

Ron’s family is hosting a private memorial service at Rhoton Funeral Home in Carrollton, Texas on Saturday, September 19 at 10 AM CDT.

Due to the other incurable disease in our midst, attendance will be limited, and masks will be required. Please reach out to a family member if you would like to attend virtually.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

This is the link to the Rhoton Funeral Home Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Rhoton-Funeral-Home-571058726337337/