Ronald Louis King

Born on March 3, 1941, in Norwalk, Ohio, Ronnie was the son of the late Eldon and Irene King.

From an early age, he had a creative spirit, an eye for the unusual, and a knack for building things that was all his own.

After earning his Master of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University, Ronnie turned his artistic talent into a career. Over the years, he wore many hats: artist, entrepreneur, restorer, craftsman, antique dealer, and collector, but at heart, he was simply someone who loved making and repairing things and finding treasures others overlooked.

For ten years, Ronnie owned Noah’s Ark Topiary, where he designed whimsical animal-shaped topiaries. He followed that with another decade running Designer Specialties, working with interior designers furnishing luxury and model homes. Later, he owned an antique store before turning his lifelong passion for antiques and collectibles into an online business, where he happily spent years buying, selling, and searching for the next great find.

Ronnie wasn’t always a man of many words, but he expressed himself through the things he created,restored, collected, and shared with those he loved. He was most comfortable at home or immersed in a project. While he wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, those closest to him knew his dry wit, his creativity, and the depth of his love.

If you knew Ronnie, you knew he was always curious. He loved creating, collecting antiques, tinkering with watches and clocks, and was always drawn to things with history and a story to tell.

He and his wife, Sally, shared that love of collecting. They spent countless weekends wandering through antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales together. Sometimes they came home with a treasure, sometimes just a good story, but they always enjoyed the adventure.

Ronnie also had a mischievous sense of humor. He loved gadgets that made people laugh, especially his beloved Yodeling Pickle. Ronnie thought it was absolutely hilarious and never missed an opportunity to press the button for one more performance. Sally… not so much.

He and Sally shared an incredible 61 years of marriage, building a life of stability for themselves and their children.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Irene King; his brother, Larry; and his sister, Barbara.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sally; his sons, Andrew and Aaron, and their wives; his daughter, Lory; his grandchildren; his great-granddaughter; and his youngest brother, Edward. They will miss his wit, his curiosity, and the way he could always find something beautiful or interesting where others might not look.

His family will remember him as someone who saw beauty where others saw ordinary things, who loved making and restoring, who could spend hours wandering an antique store,and who never passed up the chance to make everyone listen to the unmistakable yodel of a certain pickle.

In keeping with Ronnie’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Ronnie’s memory to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, supporting research to end the disease that touched his life.

https://curealz.org/giving/donate/