Ronald A. Hames

He was born in Columbus, Georgia on 20 February, 1944. Ron grew up in Dallas, Texas and went to Hillcrest High School. At Hillcrest he was an outstanding student and played varsity basketball. He was the son of Joseph Ray Hames and Margery (Jerry) Emrick Hames. Ron graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX and received a BA from SMU, an MBA from SMU and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, AZ. He received a Department of Defense Congressional Fellowship, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. He received a Global Business Certificate from Harvard Business School online.

Ron had a career in international travel and management. He went to Paris looking for answers when he was 17. Armed with the guide Europe on $5 a day, he kept meticulous notes and his observations. His love of European travel propelled him to open European Adventures, VW bus tours for college girls, and Old World Travel agency in El Paso. He was an AVP at Manufacturers Hanover Trust and Bankers Trust in New York City, responsible for banks’ lending portfolios and business development in Europe, Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. But the career that most captured his leadership skills and patriotism was working for the US Army in Europe, specifically Heidelberg. He was cited repeatedly for being a leader of change. His major contributions include re-engineering the Army Club system, Army Lodging, Leisure Travel, golf courses, and other business-related activities in Europe. He lived ten years in Heidelberg, coincidentally, not far from where his father, Lt. Joe R Hames, occupied post-war Heidelberg area in Rot, Germany.

We have a hole in our hearts now, but we take comfort in knowing Ron had a long, fulfilling life. He witnessed the Berlin Wall going up and the Berlin Wall coming down; the first man on the moon; 9/11; the advent of the internet, email, smart phones, cable tv, walk-in clinics and most importantly wheeled luggage.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Wells Hames. They were married on 28 October 1972 in Perkins Chapel on the SMU campus He is also survived by his only child, Hillary Tyler Hames (Atlanta), grandchildren Jordan Brashears (Jacksonville, FL) and Drew Merriam (Cooper City, FL), brother Steve Hames (Wendy, Jonestown, TX), nephew Mat Hames (Beth, Austin, TX) and niece Jenny Frame (Steve, Midland, MI).

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.