Ron Medley

Ronald Jerome Medley, 76, of Fort Smith, passed away on September 1, 2026. He was born on March 24, 1950, in Fort Smith to Malcolm Medley and Eunice Troutt Medley. Ron hated his middle name, but we're including it for you genealogists out there.

Ron successfully led a local, second-generation business for 49 years with deep integrity alongside his wife, but he truly came alive when he spent time away from his 9-5 responsibilities.

When Ron was a boy, he spent his allowance on fireworks, which his sisters called burning money. If you wanted to know who started the fire at the Church of God picnic in the early 1960s, we're sure we don't know. (But he might have been experimenting with grape leaves.) As a respectable adult, he moved on to building potato guns and cooking jet fuel. If you asked him, "What are you working on?" he would always surprise (and sometimes worry) you.

Ron was known for his gentle spirit, his devotion to his wife and family, and his fascination with that which wakes the soul. Ron had a passion for the stars that he explored with telescopes, night photography, and space program news. If you had gone with us to White Rock, you too could have frozen in the middle of winter on some overlook while his computer-guided telescope clicked to a new galaxy. "That's so-and-so," he'd say proudly. You, wondering how long you had to look before it was no longer obvious you were too cold to have fun, would then say, "Wow, that's so cool." And it was cool. But it was also, importantly, cold. Ron could easily look past this fact when outdoors. Whether hiking, camping, fishing, Jeep riding, or stargazing, it all helped him connect with the vastness of the universe and its Maker.

Ron also appreciated music; most notably, bluegrass. He enjoyed celebrating musicians near and far who took pride in this craft. He played the guitar, but in his later years, Ron spent countless hours mastering the art of banjo picking. He even had the pleasure of sharing a special jam session with his granddaughter.

Ron had the good fortune to meet Helen Medley in Houston. She was the love of his life, and he, hers. Together, they built a life in Fort Smith, raised a beautiful family, and enjoyed connecting with their church community. Ron was deeply proud of his kids. Ron and Helen recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. From California to New York, Alaska to Mexico, and even Canada, they traveled the continent and time together. To describe half a century in a blurb can't be done. To understand, you had to live it; and now only Helen understands.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Margaret Walters (Paul); and his son, Dustin Medley. He is survived by his wife, Helen Medley; his siblings, Twyla Wallace (John), Don Medley (Beth), and Sharon McCord (Chuck); his children, Brian Medley, Angela Hayes (Jason), and Pam Medley; and his very precious granddaughter, Finley Hayes.

Visitation will be held at East Side Baptist Church, 2710 Massard Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903, on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service beginning at 10:00 am. Ron will be laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery.