Ronald Edmond McNelis (Gator) went to be with the Lord at age 78. He was the beloved son of the late Cornelius A. McNelis, Sr. (Mack) and Myra (Louise) McNelis. Ronald was born on December 23, 1940 in Baton Rouge, LA. He lived in New Orleans, LA until October 1977 when he moved and resided in San Bernardino, CA where he passed from this life into heaven on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 5:20PM, from a terminal illness. Ronald is survived by his children, Marilyn L. (Mimi), Ronald C., Brian, Danielle Raaymaker, Summer Guzman (Mario), Charlie, Joey, Rhonda Ann Vice, (14) Grandchildren and (5) Great-Grandchildren. Ronald is also survived by his siblings, Cornelius A. McNelis Jr., Theresa McNelis (Pursell) Boteler (Lawrence), Jeanneen McNelis Schoenberger, and he is pre-deceased by Thomas E. McNelis. Ronald was a welder by trade and an avid "Talented Artist" who welded medium to large sized bronze detailed crucifixes with Corpus of Jesus Christ attached to beautifully designed wooden crosses for display. Ronald also welded medium to large sized 3-D bronze fish sculptures attached with stem to solid bronze bases. These fish sculptures have detailed bronze faces which shows detailed mouths, eyes, and gill flaps, detailed bronze dorsal upper fins, with two detailed bronze pelvic (lower) fins, and detailed caudal tail fins. The 3-D bronze fish sculpture have both sides welded together leaving an opening in the middle with welded bonze bones so accurately placed to match on each side of body that you can see directly through openings between welded bones. They are beautifully designed. Ronald also enjoyed welding owls and other pieces of art, building small models of cars and airplanes, reading books and writing poems. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. It gives great comfort to his family members to know he is in heaven with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Private memorial service and burial will be held at a later date. Ronald's remains will be laid to rest at Mt. View Cemetery, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino CA 92404.
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