Name: East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park
Address: Kingsport, TN

I will always  think of Donald as a friend we shared many fond memories he will missed by his many friends at Crown Cypress may he rest in peace Douglas Bralley LPN♥️

...Part 2...After Red passed away, Pat & Don decided to move to a smaller place down near to where Patti & her family lived in Kingsport, TN. Although Don dearly missed Sokol, we managed to keep him abreast of our activities through regular phone calls & the SGC Newsletter.  We also arranged occasional visits for Don to the Cleveland area as well as to many of the Sokol Slets (sports festivals). Don & I were often roomies at these Slets & we usually were among the last ones to leave the “hospitality suites”. Our all-time favorite was the 2006 Slet in Prague at which we participated in all the tours, parades & Slet performances during those two weeks. We even managed to close up the basement pub across the street from our hotel most evenings. THOSE were the days!  

 Don would always remember to call me & my dear wife on our respective birthdays to sing & wish us well. We would return the favor on his birthday & he would especially relish our telling him that we have some more hugs stored up for him. He would often remind us of that! Don very much enjoyed reading, dancing (especially polkas) and sports. One of his greatest joys was playing on our SGC Mens #2 volleyball team at a number of Slets. He became known for his “killer” serve.  Apart from that, Don was the most caring person I have ever met.  My son described Don exactly – a genuinely kind person.  He never had an unkind thought about anything.  He was also a most willing helper whenever a request was made. That was my buddy Don!  Thanks for the cherished memories, Don & please save me a place at that Sklipek  table in heaven!  With love, Eddy Jirousek  

Memories Part 1 from Eddy J. My best buddy Don Ranc passed away. It brought back a flood of memories to me. We went through boys, junior boys & mens class together at Sokol Tyrs. Early on Don lived in the same Mount Pleasant neighborhood as I did very near to our Sokol hall. Later he moved with his family out to Aurora (near Geauga Lake). My Dad & his Dad (Donald “Red” Ranc) were best friends. I can vividly remember spending a week nearly every summer during our teen years staying with the Ranc family “way out in the country”. By that time, Red & wife Pat had five kids (Don, Dave, John, Patti & Bob). It was GREAT FUN sleeping in those bunk beds & having so many brothers & even a sister! We played & played, scouted, walked, ran, hid, rode bikes & Laughed. And then every evening we would walk over to Geauga Lake Park and hang out! Back then, it was free to get in & you only paid for each ride. We usually just played miniature golf, had ice cream & watched the people having fun. Those were the days!   
During the 1970s my career took me to Philadelphia PA but Don & I stayed in touch. Upon relocation back to the Cleveland area in 1979 we resumed our mutual Mens Class involvements but now it was at the merged Sokol Greater Cleveland. We both enjoyed class immensely but we also very much looked forward to spending time afterwards socializing in the Sklipek (clubroom). Since Don did not drive, I would be his ride home afterwards. We really enjoyed the clubroom banter & would often stay late, sometimes very late. Don & I developed a “secret shtik” whereby if he were ever challenged by his family about his late Sokol evenings, he would blame it on me since I was the driver. And if my wife ever questioned my lateness, I would blame it on the fact that Don was having such a good time that I didn’t want to cut it short! Don and I would often laugh about our “little secret” but I suspect that it really wasn’t much of a secret after all. Those were the days! ...to be continued...

Don and I looked forward to seeing Donald at church and church functions. He was one of a kind. He always had a big story to tell us. He enjoyed taking care of the church for so many years. We will all miss him. We love you Donald. You are happy now in Jesus arms.

Don and Dee Gonce

Donald was very dear and loved by his family, his friends , and the Indian Springs Christian Church Congregation!  We will miss his huge smile and sweet ways of serving his church  when he could !  “ Donald , Tami wants you to know that I am so comforted to know that you found your special place in Heaven that God had saved for you!  There is always plenty of room in Heaven and also there is no more pain and no more tears or fear in Heaven ! “ 
Rest In Peace!! 💔🙏😢♥️  Tami Day 


I knew Don since I was 15 years old.  I married his brother John when I was 18.  For about 55 years, Don never got tired of asking me to make him Peach Dumplings or make him Pork and Dumplings, he loved all that food in the Slovak Cookbook of Cleveland, Ohio.  He was lucky I liked to cook!  He would come to Florida and wanted to live in his bathing suit to swim or go boating.    He came to Las Vegas and could not wait for John to come home after work to go to the casino for the slot machines!  He would stay for hours.  Loved it!  One time he came for a month and we got a new dog and he actually taught the dog to use the doggy door!  We could not believe it.  Don would say, “do not let him out, show him the doggy door”.  He was right, he really trained him to go outside!  Don was getting lost at the airports, but you know what, it bothered us more then him.  He said, “I knew you would eventually find me.”   Don was one of a kind.  He did a better job going through life then most of us.  He is now with his Mom and Dad and he is very happy!  Love ya, Don.  
Gail Ranc

Uncle Donald will be greatly missed. Although we lived many miles away, I will cherish the memories of Christmas that we were able to spend together. I am grateful that Uncle Donald had the  opportunity to meet my son, his nephew as I wish Uncle Donald’s parents could have.  We could always count on Uncle Donald’s giant smile and enormous laugh to make us remember the things that are most important. We know you are now free from pain and suffering and with the ones who love you most. 

OBITUARY

Donald James Ranc, Jr.

June 16, 1945 – September 19, 2020

East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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