It is impossible not to be sad about such a great loss.  We had the pleasure and honor of having known Mr. Ronnie Wilkins for a year and a half.  Those who knew him know that he was a good person with an incomparable heart.  My daughter and I are very sad that we had to say goodbye Mr. Ronnie.  His good humor always and that great human quality that he had, that despite not speaking the same language could feel the essence of him.  For him, all days was beautiful, always optimistic and enjoying every day. I could see how much he enjoyed everything he had within his reach, such as: watching hummingbirds fly while they ate on his terrace, feeding deer in times of scarcity.  He liked rainy days a lot because he said it would be very helpful for his lake and his garden, not forgetting those two cute kittens (Pancho and Cisco), who lived like princes in that cabin that he built for them. Because, the King lived in the big cabin.  In the course of my life I had never met anyone as special as him.  Mr. Ronnie enjoyed everything he did so much, always thanking God for all the good it was for him.  I have never heard a negative thought coming from him, it is so difficult to find such people today.  Mr. Ronnie we will never forget you and we will always remember you with much love and affection.  I thank him for his support by giving me a job, I feel fortunate to have helped take care of that beautiful place that he loved so much, but what I appreciate the most is all the love and attention that he gave my daughter all time.  It was a privilege and I thank God for having blessed me by putting such a wonderful being in my way.  "Life goes by very fast and the people we love are leaving", he will always be in my memory and in my heart with deep respect and admiration.  I will never forget his phrase that he often told me "Rubi always remembers that the smile has no language, it is universal”. We miss him so much!🌲🏕

Ronnie was a kind and caring man who fell in love with my mother in the later years of his life. I never got to meet his sons but they were some his favorite story subjects whenever we would meet. 

He had a arbor problem at the cabin in that trees would spoil the view from time to time.  Too far out and too high up for a chain saw or pole saw. We would use either a scoped .22mag lever gun or once I brought down one of my Ar’s to assist the tree topping.

He was always available for bouncing an idea off of unless cell service was spotty.

One of my biggest regrets is being unable to attend his funeral and tell his sons just how proud their dad was of them.

Ronnie, I’ll make sure to bring some tales of my kiddo when we meet again.



I first met Ronnie when he and Nancy came to a party at my home in 2007. It was evident that Ronnie never met a stranger as he quickly began mingling and socializing. It wasn't long until he was playing "vroom vroom" with my granddaughter; I knew then he was a man we would all grow to love. Through the years, he would leave a handwritten note of gratitude when he and Nancy stayed over in my home. Not many people still do that. 

To say Ronnie was a good man does not do him justice. He was always  encouraging others to pursue their highest and best. Ronnie was secure and confident, but never arrogant. Ronnie treated everyone with respect even when they gave him a reason not to.  A man who had concern for the welfare of others and portrayed the love many of us aspire to here on this earth.

I will truly miss him.  My deepest condolences to Nancy, Erin, Scott, Caroline,  Dan and Kylie. And to Ronnie's children, their spouses and grandchildren. Ronnie has left a great legacy for all!

I John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."


It was very sad to hear of Ronnie passing he was always friendly, fun and smiling when I saw him at the Wilkerson family reunions. Ronnie and Peggy always gave me big hugs and made a point to ask how my life was going. Even though he is gone he will be missed. Sending a big hug to Peggy and the boys, so sorry for your loss. 

Sorry to hear the sad news about Mr Ronnie Wilkins. Our condolences in this time to a great family.   Our first meeting was at  Royalwood UPC was way back in 1998!  Have great respect for Mr Ronnie. 

I will miss receiving calls from the pentagon. He was so nice always made me laugh , Colonel Brown knows about the pentagon. Lol take your rest Sir. I Salute you.  🌹
 

So very sorry for the loss of Ronnie..prayers for the family.

I have loved Ronnie since the first time I met him some 48 years ago.  He never failed to make me smile and usually laugh out loud.  His stories never grew old, because usually they contained a tiny change that just made them funnier.  Old "Road Hawg" makes me think of Ronnie every time I hear it.  Burlon thought Ronnie hung the moon because Ronnie is the one who taught him to play the guitar.  A very special man that has raised two pretty good boys, (MEN).  We will all miss Ronnie.

My little family will most definitely miss the booming voice, energetic spirit and kind, wise words that always came from Ronnie. He always made sure to lighten the mood, keep the peace and with a doubt make you chuckle. He loved my son, and would always declare the greatness he is destined for. I will miss his jokes, his advice and I just know he is in heaven, on a hillside in the most marvelous cabin enjoying a nice cigar on the porch. 

I will truly miss my Dad.  There will never be one quite like him.  I owe so much to him for making me the man I am today.  I am so sad he is gone, but so thankful I had him for 73 years to give me fatherly advice, teach me to hunt, shoot, fish, build stuff, and work hard.  Thanks for all the good experiences and investing your time in me. Love you, Jeffrey Clay Wilkins

I will forever miss the calls Ronnie made to the Brown family, asking how we were all doing over here in Louisiana.   His kind but very deep voice always made me laugh.  He was part of the Brown family in so many ways.   Ronnie was a true brother to Terry Brown.     He was a prayer warrior for Harmony  Lei Brown Johnson during her battle with cancer.    He loved the Lord and Terry told me that Ronnie always said a prayer of blessing before each meal.  Ronnie had a loving , caring , forgiving heart toward  everyone.  His talks about nature and the outdoors were very interesting and inspiring to me.   Ronnie will forever be missed by the Brown family. 

Dad was a tremendous supporter of the USO and just about anything helping active duty military and Veterans. He LOVED hanging out with me and all my military friends - a true Patriot.

Lance

I really miss laughing with my Dad.

Lance

Our deepest sympathy goes to Ronnie’s sons, Clay and Lance, and their families at this time of loss. We know Ronnie will be missed by so many friends and other family members whose lives he touched. We are happy to have wonderful memories of him and his family from Wilkerson reunions as well as our visits here in Wyoming.
         Gary and Norma Wilkerson

Ronnie was my best friend and confidant for over 60 years.   The day I was told of his death,  it was as though someone had told me that "I had died'!   Ronnie and I had both planned to live at least another 20 years, and spend a lot of our time left on this Earth  "sitting on the deck" at his "Log Cabin" in the woods and talking and laughing about all the good times we have had in our lives.   I have read all the other "posts" by Ronnie's friends and relatives, and they  saw Ronnie's character and personality the same way I did,..."humble generosity, always caring for others, perpetually positive attitude, eager to help anyone in need, and a man after God's own heart"!    Ronnie was, and still is , "my Hero"!    

I’ve grown to know and appreciate the kind heartedness of Ronnie.  Whether it was during a visit from Ronnie and Nancy or at a family wedding, he brought ease to all he encountered.  Always positive, always smiling and always a gentleman.

Ronnie was my class mate 1965.  Many memories of being in Boy Scouts together

(continued from previous post) 

I don't overstate things when I describe him as a stepfather to me. I recall him getting to know my now-husband over board games one Christmas and learning, after the fact, that Ronnie had given his blessing to my husband to propose. It was after that event that his nickname for me was changed to "Cinderella" because he knew I had found my prince charming. He traveled to Michigan for my law school graduation and came with me that weekend to help choose my wedding gown. Perhaps my favorite memory of all with Ronnie was our special dance on my wedding day to "My Wish" by Rsacal Flatts. Ronnie, a talented dancer, expertly led me and my two left feet around the dance floor in a modified Texas two step. Again, always the gentleman, he made me look and feel graceful on the biggest day of my life.

Ronnie was an excellent family man who loved his sons dearly. He loved to tell stories of their youth, including when Clay (having inherited his father's excellent sense of humor) drafted a teasing and congratulatory account of Lance's accomplishments, starting with "Wilkins, not surprised." Similarly he enjoyed reminiscing about driving coolers of his beloved Blue Bell ice cream to Lance at the Air Force Academy. Ronnie was proud of his boys and the families they have created, including his grandchildren Rhett and Hannah.

I will miss Ronnie so very much. He was a wonderful man who lit up our lives these past fifteen years, and the world for much longer than that. I will forever treasure his warmth and wisdom, and remember him with deep gratitude and love.

(continued from previous post)

We were fortunate to spend holidays with him during these years, many of which we celebrated at Wilkinswood-- his home and retreat away from the world. He was always so gracious and gentlemanly, insisting that I park myself by the roaring fires he kept stoked. Every Christmas, he would read aloud the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke, recounting the humble circumstances in which Christ chose to enter the world (a humility he sought to emulate). He invited us to experience the beauty of Wilkinswood, driving out to the pond he improved year over year, walking through the "nursery" of young pines near it, and scaling the ravine along the property. Of course, he also got us in on the fun of riding in his pickup bed to scatter feed for the wildlife, topping the trees encroaching the view from his deck with his AR-15, and protecting from deer the young pines he had planted along the driveway (using what amounted to coyote urine-- an event that caused him to laugh hysterically when we first smelled the pungent liquid after not taking seriously enough his warning to stay upwind). On multiple occasions, we spent evenings sipping hot chocolate or coffee while gazing up at the Milky Way from (again) his famous pickup bed or the barn deck. Ronnie relished the job of stewarding God's creation and delighted in this natural beauty each day.

(Photo of Ronnie carving a Thanksgiving turkey he smoked in his Green Egg)

It is difficult to put into words what Ronnie meant to me, my brothers, and my mother-- in part because it still feels like I should be able to call him up or drive over to Wilkinswood and find him carrying on like any other day. But I will do my best, because that was what Ronnie gave to us as long as we knew him. My memories are shared in multiple posts.

For nearly 15 years, Ronnie has been my de facto stepdad. He has been there for the big and the little moments. I am blessed with so many happy memories with him. Many moons ago he moved me into my freshman dorm. When he returned to his truck, he made sure (with his signature sense of humor) that everyone within earshot saw him and my mom waving goodbye to me from the parking area by honking his horn and yelling out, "Good luck, Cinderblock (his first nickname for me)! You'll do great!" He made the trip to campus again to support me when I was nominated for homecoming queen, and for my graduation the next year (where, the night before, he kept the Senior Toast party going long after its official close by entertaining faculty members out by his truck-- that was Ronnie, the life of the party and able to make friends wherever he went). 

Ronnie was our friend and neighbor on PR 1200.  He never met a stranger and would do anything  he could to help anyone. 
When Ronnie built his barndaminium he was determined Pat was going to see the beautiful sight from his deck.. so determined that he actually carried him up that flight of stairs, on his back! Ronnie said  “what are friends for”?  We will always cherish our times spent with him  and looking forward to seeing him once again one day! 

As Ronnie's next door neighbor at Boggy Creek Ranch, Chris and I spent many delightful days and evenings visiting and eating with Ronnie.
Ronnie loved to socialize and was always the "main attraction". 
We would play the guitars together and sing along, what fun times we enjoyed as friends and neighbors. He will be greatly missed by so many of us. Goodbye my dear friend. May God bless and keep  the family during this time of grief.

So many wonderful memories of going to Uncle Ronnie’s and Aunt Peggy’s house!
The many trips to Baskin Robbin’s, swimming and all the tricks and jokes he would play on us for a laugh. 
You were a great Uncle and we are so sad that you were taken so suddenly! 
Our deepest condolences to Clay and Lance and the family.

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”

1 Timothy 6:18-19 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

 Ronnie was such a good, good man.  He found some of his greatest delight in helping children and young people find a path that was productive, helping them discover their talents.  He was an encourager, always, an example of kindness, generosity, true faith and strength.  Ronnie was able to look beyond his own perspective, and he always took the high road, using humor as one of his tools to lead and inspire others.

My children and I were truly blessed to share the last 14 1/2 years with him, laughing and loving together, exploring, celebrating life with our friends and family,  and supporting each other. He was the love of my life, and the sweet memories we made will last the rest of my life. 

He was very proud of his sons Clay and Lance, and often spoke of how he loved his time with them, watching their maturation to become the good men they are today.  He deeply loved Rhett and Hannah, and his daughters-in-law, and he had great respect for Peggy, who partnered with him for many years as his wife. 

 There are so many families who have been influenced by his good life and his kindness. Truly a man deserving of honor and respect, 
a humble man who sought to find the good in every person he encountered. A man after God's own heart, who daily sought His will and, setting aside his pride, did his best to follow the example of Christ.  

"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. " 2 Pet 1:5-8



May God bless you with sweet memories. You are all in my
thoughts and prayers. Mr. Ronnie was a very special person
and loved by everyone who knew him. I am so blessed to have
known such an amazing and wonderful person. He lead a most
inspirational life blessed in every way!

OBITUARY

Ronnie Edward Wilkins

July 11, 1947 – February 16, 2021

Gipson Funeral Home & Garden of Memories Memorial Park

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