Ronnie Ray Harkreader

Ron was born June 4, 1944, and grew up in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school in 1962, he left Oklahoma and came to Merced, California. This is where he made his home, raised his family, built his business, and made so many lifelong friends.

Ron loved his home and lived there for 53 years. So many family memories were made there. He knew everyone around him and was such a fixture in the neighborhood that his neighbors even called him the “Mayor of Bronco Lane.” If you knew Ron, you knew that title fit him pretty well.

Ron married the love of his life, Karen, in 1976, and together they raised four children, Hud, Tammy, Brian and Rhonda. Ron passed away on October 23rd, which was also their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a bittersweet and remarkable milestone of the life they shared together.

Ron was a hard worker his entire life. He and his brother Bob owned and operated several service stations over the years and eventually owned Rons’s Union 76, which later became Ron’s Auto Care. After 38 years in business, he retired in 2007.

More than anything, Ron loved his family. He was an amazing Papa and absolutely loved his grandchildren: Dakota, Tanner, Jessica, Jacob, Dylan, Darien, Hunter and Cameron. Then came his great grandchildren: Joey, Hudson, Addison, Peyton, Tyler, Maverick, Daxton and Presley. He was so proud of all of them.

Ron also loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping – if it meant being outside with family or friends… he was happy. He especially loved fishing with his grandsons, and those are memories they will carry with them forever. There were also countless trips to Pismo and Sand Mountain over the years. So many memories, laughter and stories came from those trips. Ron loved to hunt and hunted throughout California as well as Colorado and Wyoming.

Ron and Karen also loved to travel togethers. Whether they were traveling, camping, going on an adventure or simply spending time with family and friends, they made a lifetime of memories during their 50 years together.

When Ron was home relaxing, there was a pretty good chance he was watching one of his favorite teams – the Raiders, Oklahoma Sooners, or the San Francisco Giants. You could also find him watching one of his beloved Westerns. He loved his Westerns and could never get enough of them.

Ron was a longtime member of the Merced Elks Lodge #1240 B.P.O.E., Merced Lions Clubs, Club Mercedes, Eagles and Jeep Club.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Lena Harkreader and siblings, Dobe, Maxine, Jewel, Bob, and Eloise.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Karen; his children, Hud (Carries), Tammy (Wally), Brian, and Rhonda (Shane); his grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Tom Harkreader; and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends who all loved him dearly.

And, of course, you cannot talk about Ron without mentioning his beloved “weenie dogs.” He loved those dogs, and they brought him so much happiness and companionship over the years.

Ron truly had a life well lived. He worked hard, loved his family, went on countless adventures, and had friendships that lasted a lifetime.

There are so many stories about Ron that could never fit into an obituary, and that says a lot about the life that he lived.

He was a loving husband, dad, papa, great grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. He will be missed more than words can say.

A special thanks goes out to Ron’s caregivers, Shawna, Silvia and Ruben and the Compassionate Care Hospice Team.

A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Merced Elks Lodge, 1910 M Street, Merced, California.