Ronald Green Bateman Jr.

Ronald Green Bateman, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 2, 2026 to be with his Heavenly Father. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Ron bravely fought a battle with cancer for three years.

Although he was born in Moultrie, GA, on March 27, 1948 to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Bateman (Jackie), he grew up in Sylvester, GA. Eventually, his family moved to Tifton, GA, where he was the Drum Major of the Tift County High School Marching Band, where he met Melinda, who was also in the band. After he graduated in 1966, he attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA., graduating with a degree in Physics. After graduation, he was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant. He spent 3 1/2 years in the Army as a Signal Corps Specialist. After he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1974 as a First Lieutenant, he worked at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, TN until his retirement in 1991. Subsequently, he started his own business, One Man and His Toolbox.

In 2011, while checking on his mother in Tifton, he ran into Melinda whom he had not seen for 45 years! After marrying in 2012, Ron moved to Saint Simons Island, GA, where Melinda lived. Ron was a devout Christian his whole life. When he moved to Saint Simons, he was very ecumenical because he sang in the Methodist choir, attended Sunday School at the Baptist Church, and attended the Men's Thursday morning breakfast at the Community Church.

Ron was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Brunswick, GA; a member of the Chancel Choir at Saint Simons United Methodist Church where he sang using his beautiful bass voice; a member of the ham radio club GARA; and a member of the CHOTA MASONIC LODGE.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Jackie Bateman Lindsey, Ronald Bateman, and his brother Wayne Bateman. He is survived by his wife of 14 years Melinda Ann Smith (Bateman); two sons Ken Bateman of Knoxville, TN and Alan Bateman (Jessica) of Harriman, TN; one sister Judy Bateman Shepura (Brian O'Brian) of Birmingham, AL; one step-brother Darrell Lindsey (Ruthie) of Johnson City, TN; one step-sister Cheryl Lindsey Lezcano (Jorge) of Evanston, IL; one step-daughter Stephanie Thomas (Joseph) of Lawrenceville, GA; one step-son Will Tomberlin of Savannah, GA; 9 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A small graveside service will take place at 1pm on September 25, 2026 at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, Ga.