Ronald Falls Sullivan

Ron grew up in High Point, North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill after serving in the United States Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater on the USS Boston. After moving to Charlotte, he joined Myers Park Presbyterian Church where he met his soon-to-be wife Jeanne White. During the next 60 years at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, he served as deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, and friend to everyone.

He enjoyed traveling and reading and was an accomplished guitarist. Music was one of the great joys of his life. He played the guitar since the age of 5. Friends and family enjoyed his entertainment at many social gatherings. He will be remembered by his friends for his humorous story-telling, which brought laughter to everyone.

Anyone who knew Ron knew he was an avid fan of Tar Heel sports. He rarely missed watching a game over the last 65 years. He founded the very first weight lifting team at UNC-Chapel Hill. Additionally, he spent many years coaching local little league baseball teams.

His career in safety consulting spanned over 5 decades. Most of his career was with J. A. Jones Construction Company before co-founding Safety Associates. He was a member of the Society of Safety Engineers and was a past president of the Charlotte Chapter. He also taught over 1000 sessions of Dale Carnegie courses in Public Speaking and Human Relations.

Ron loved helping others, evidenced by his many volunteer activities. These included the American Red Cross where we will never know the lives saved by the 29 gallons he donated over 62 years. He spent thousands of hours working blood drives and volunteering at the Greater Carolinas Chapter on Park Road. He was involved for 18 years with The Center for Community Transitions where he assisted people rejoining society after prison terms. For many years he served Friendship Trays and worked with Loaves and Fishes.

He relished his role as a grandfather and was so proud of his five grandchildren. Those that will miss his presence in their lives the most are his wife of 59 years, Jeanne White Sullivan, his son Larry Sullivan and his wife Denise, daughter Kay Sullivan Johnston, her husband Fred, and their two daughters Brittany and Hannah, his daughter Carolyn Sullivan and her son Gregory, and his son Jim Sullivan, his wife Heather, and their two daughters Mandy and Allison.

A service in celebration of the life of Ronald Falls Sullivan will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Von Clemans officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/donation) or Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207.