Ranulfo Pepito Carpentero

Ron Carpentero, affectionately known as Dodong, was born on May 27th, 1949 to Irenea Saso in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines and immediately became the apple of his mother’s eye. As the youngest and only boy, Ron was well loved not only by his mother, but by his three older sisters - Coring, Lynn, and Emma.

After graduating from high school in 1969 (where, based on a recently discovered report card, he was deemed as “cooperative sometimes”), Ron and his mother emigrated from the Philippines to the United States. Upon their arrival, they lived with the Lucero family before saving enough money to purchase a house on Neosho Avenue in 1971.

In 1976, Ron married Sally and together established roots in Culver City. Around this time he apprenticed as a glazier under his good friend Bernie before starting his own business, RC Glass, in the early 1980s. Ron so loved the RC moniker and was amused by other companies like RC Cola that used the same initials. He would often joke that their “RC” was really referring to him. (Interestingly enough, even though he liked the name, he never actually drank RC Cola.)

Ron and Sally welcomed their only child, Mariel, in 1981. Very early on, Mariel was a daddy’s girl and on many grocery trips would often help get “daddy’s milk” – more commonly known as Michelob. This was more of an inside joke but became well known when Mariel would loudly say in the store, “I’ll get daddy’s milk!” and immediately run towards the refrigerated beer section.

Eventually Ron and Sally went their separate ways and Ron moved to Northridge, which became his home for over fifteen years. It was where he returned after a long day at work or a great night at the casino. He cheered on his Lakers from his black leather chair, enjoyed his chilled Coronas with salt and lime, watched TFC a little too loud, and cherished the company of friends and family, who visited often.

In 2002, Ron added a new member to his family: A brand-new Lincoln Blackwood truck, which quickly became his pride and joy. While there were others – including a Chevrolet Camaro and a Chevrolet El Camino – nothing came close to his love for the Blackwood. He spoiled his truck and always tucked it in safely at night in the apartment garage.

However, it was also in his apartment where he realized something wasn’t right with his health. Upon a visit to the hospital in 2007, he learned that he had cancer. After the diagnosis, life took on a different meaning for Ron. Life was not only something he enjoyed, it was something he fiercely fought for. He tackled his illness in the only way he could: He joked about it. During treatments of radiation he would laugh, “My butt is getting really tan” and during chemotherapy treatments, “At least I don’t have to worry about losing my hair!” He fought valiantly for eight years, six years longer than his doctor’s gave him.

His humor is what sustained us during this difficult time. Ron will be remembered for his laughter, his sense of humor, and his love for family.

We love and miss you so. We know you’re making angels laugh in heaven.