Donald Alan Ranson

Don was born in Chicago, IL to Ralph and Jane Ranson. He grew up in Oak Forest and Oak Brook where he graduated from North High School in 1978. He moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1979 where he began his career in the plastics industry as a fabricator for his parent’s family business, Colorado Plastic Products, Inc. Don bought his first home in Table Mesa in Boulder where he lived until relocating to Pennsylvania and Ohio in the early 1990’s working in plastic sales and management. He settled in Grand Rapids, MI in 2000 working for Total Plastics, Inc. Don was creative and had a true passion for building and working with his hands. With woodworking making tables, art pieces from clay and plastic fabrication making shelves, boxes and displays. In 2012, he started his own handyman business called 1st Choice Home Repair. He worked on several new buildings in Grand Rapids, but he was most proud of his participation in the creation and installation of the large plexiglass art display cases at the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum. He often provided home repair services for those in need at no cost, he simply loved what he did. He beat the odds in 2000 when he recovered from Aplastic Anemia, but sadly lost his hard-fought battle with Leukemia. Don was warm, energetic, and vivacious and he loved a good laugh. He cherished his family and friends; he loved animals and adored his beloved cat Krammer. He was devoted to caring for his longtime girlfriend and best friend Ardi. For those who knew him best, Don wasn’t always easy, but he was true and honest and always told you how he felt. If you were fortunate enough to know the real Don, he was full of love, generosity and loyalty to those he loved. We will miss him desperately at all our family gatherings where he was the most fun to be with and we will remember him always as the beautiful son, brother, cousin, and friend he was.

We give our heartfelt thank you to Dr Brinker, the staff and all the amazing nurses who tirelessly took care of Don everyday these past 2 years. A special thank you to Ardi Conte, Suzi Wells, Bruce Johnson and Kerrill Hanna for always being there.

Don is preceded in death by his beautiful mother Jane Marie Vangelis Ranson 2007. Don is survived by his father Ralph J Ranson & wife Bobbi Ranson. His brother Mark James Ranson & sister-in-law Barbara. His brother Randy J Ranson & sister-in-law Jennifer & niece Aedan. His sister Lynne A Ranson-Meister & brother-in-law Nick. His sister Susan J Ranson-Miller & brother-in-law Michael & nephew Jack. His closest cousins Thomas Soveg, Christine Drwal, Bill Soveg, Jane Wharton. Chet Matysek, Jimmy Matysek, Michael Matysek. His nearest & dearest friends Tony Sprovieri, Margie Cihlar & the entire Oakbrook clan.

Funeral services held Saturday February 5, 2022, at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home. 17W201 E Roosevelt Road Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181 (630)941-5860

10:00am Viewing

11:00am Service

12:00pm Burial