Ronald "Ron" Eugene Nunnelly

Ron was born on March 22, 1944—the oldest of three children to Wilford “Bill” Eugene Nunnelly and Marie Nunnelly in Yakima, Washington. Ron spent his early years on “the farm” in New Florence, Missouri where he romped through the fields and where his lifelong love of canoeing began.

The Nunnellys moved frequently during his teenage years, as Bill was transferred by DuPont to Ohio, West Virginia, California, and Orange, Texas. Ron graduated from Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, WV and served his country honorably during the Vietnam war in Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Philippines. While in Taiwan, he met his lifelong companion and beloved wife, Wen Chu “Judy” Chen. They married in 1968 and later welcomed two children—Wendy and Edgar.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Ron spent most of his career working on the construction jobsites of various DuPont plants around the world, moving materials and running projects with seemingly impossible deadlines and requirements. His expertise was relied upon in countless ways, and he was known for bringing projects in on time and under budget. Ron was extremely resourceful and strong-willed enough to muscle through the most challenging obstacles—if he couldn’t get it done, no one could. He worked many long, hard days and nights to ensure he provided for his family, rarely asking for anything for himself. Ron loved to take his family on cross-country road trips and treasured spending time out at their Terlingua Ranch property near Big Bend. Ron and Judy enjoyed traveling throughout Asia while he was working at DuPont plants in both Taiwan and Singapore.

After retirement, Ron and Judy spent time doing what they loved most—being outdoors camping, canoeing and spending time with their grandkids, Duncan, Ian, and Abby. Ron seemed to have been born in a canoe—he could maneuver himself through the most challenging waters with grace, and he often played “rescuer” to less-skilled paddlers. He was passionate about woodworking and specifically about wooden canoes and was well-loved among the wooden canoe enthusiasts. He built from scratch and restored several wooden canoes and kayaks. Every summer for over 20 years, Ron and Judy attended the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association’s annual assembly in upstate New York, many of those years with Duncan and Ian in tow. At WCHA, they made lifelong friendships and many happy memories trading tall tales of glory on the river.

Ron was an avid photographer and cyclist. He rode cross-Texas trips on his bicycle with his buddies and was still putting significant miles on his bike until he was almost 70. He also spent many hours cursing at his computer screen as he taught himself to use the Linux operating system and complicated photo/video editing software while working on the extensive collection of photos taken on his many excursions.

Ron was outspoken and honest—one always knew where one stood with him. Yet he was always ready with a helping hand; Ron pulled stuck cars out of soft beach sand, wrassled beloved pets out of the mouths of gators (for real!) and volunteered to ferry nurses to their shifts at the hospital during snow storms. He could be counted on to pitch in and help wherever needed.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Marie Nunnelly. He is survived by his loving wife Judy, his children Edgar Nunnelly (Mary) and Wendy Nunnelly Moses (Wade), his grandchildren Duncan and Ian Nunnelly and Abby Moses, and sisters Donna Nunnelly Brisbin (Charles) and Jeanette Nunnelly Trahan (Charles).

Ron will be remembered for his love of family, laughter over his many misadventures, and the great big heart he shared with the world in his own “Ron” way.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 4-7pm at Pat Foley Funeral Home, 1200 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 11, at 10:00am at First Methodist Church, 1320 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002, followed by burial at the Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038 at 1:45pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association https://www.woodencanoe.org/donate or to Houston Audubon https://houstonaudubon.org/about/ways-to-help/donate.html