Ronald attended school in Wilson, AR and received his GED after joining the military at the young age of sixteen. Ronald proudly served his country for twenty-eight years. He retired as a Sr. Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force in June 1982. From 1968 to 1970 Ronald served during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force Ronald went on to work for the Veterans Association and then had a fifteen year career with the US Postal Service, where he retired in July 1999.
Ron was quick witted. He and his twin brother, Don, learned at a young age how to use their likeness to lovingly pull pranks on teachers, friends, co-workers and even girlfriends. Ronald never met a stranger and would jokingly called many by the name “George”. Ronald had a lifelong love for fishing and he enjoyed watching the Arkansas Razorbacks play football and basketball. He was a member of the Brockington Road Church of the Nazarene in Sherwood, AR.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Inok (Kim), whom he married on April 18, 2011; his identical twin brother, Donald Pipkin; his son, Bryan (Mindy) Pipkin of Conway, AR; two daughters Tyonia (Graden) Beard of Searcy, AR and Kimberlee Straschinske; 6 grandchildren Kendall (Kayla) Straschinske, Machen (Peyton) Fogleman, Asher Beard, Kirsten Straschinske, Paige Pipkin and Riley Pipkin; 3 great grandchildren Kora, Keller, and Kaylee Straschinske; and many nephews and nieces.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 44 years, Virginia Pauline (Gillespie) Pipkin; 5 brothers, Chester, Raymond, Horace, Claude, and Jesse (Joe) Pipkin; 3 sisters Mavis Sheffield, Catherine Nuckolls, and Caroline Calabrese, and his son-in-law Arlen Straschinske.
Visitation for Ronald is scheduled from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday August 18th at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in North Little Rock, AR. Funeral Services will be Friday August 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Noel George officiating. Burial with military honors will be at 11:00 a.m. in Rest Hills Memorial Park.
Ronald’s family suggests donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Disable American Veterans (DAV) or the American Heart Association in his honor.
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