Ronald Lee Gelfand

Ronald Lee Gelfand, beloved husband, father and grandfather, football fan and snarky old curmudgeon, passed peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 4, 2015. Ron is survived by his loyal wife of 59 years, Elizabeth (the love of his life), his three children and their spouses—Robert and Maggie; Christine and Bradley; and Michael and Catalina; and six grandchildren—Kourtni (spouse Cody), Ariel, Nicole, Katrina, Jesse and Jordan.

Ronald was born in Detroit, Michigan on Jan. 16, 1931 and moved to Fontana, California from Birmingham, Alabama with his mother Mary Wood at the age of three. A graduate of Chaffey High School in Ontario, Ron served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1953 to 1961 and fought in the Korean War.

While he made his living as a truck driver, Ron lived for his family. As a young father, he especially found great joy in taking his wife Betty and three young children camping and boating, and driving through big redwood trees. Camping trips to Yosemite, Hoover Dam and the Colorado River always meant great adventure for the family and a boatload of preparation for Betty (yes, Betty literally packed the whole boat with supplies).

He shared his love of sports with his family and dedicated much of his life coaching Robert, Michael and other youth in baseball and football. Even Ron’s daughter, Christine, could throw a football and slide into home base as meanly as the rest of the boys on the block. Some of his proudest moments were when Robert and Michael played defense for the Fohi Steelers—Bob from 1974-1977 and Mike from 1979-1982. After his sons graduated, Ron and Betty remained involved in high school football and girl’s softball at Fontana High School and then Henry J. Kaiser High School in Fontana for more than 25 years.

A man of many tales, Ron liked to both tell and read stories, could draw a map to just about anywhere—most often favoring the “back roads,” took joy in watching old movies, got riled up and perhaps could be heard uttering a few choice words when watching college football—especially when his beloved Auburn Tigers were on the field—loved and devoured Betty’s amazing cooking and mostly, was extremely proud of all his grandchildren. His greatest joy was to see them all happy and healthy.

The family wishes to thank the staff at DaVita Dialysis in Yucaipa, CA for their kind and dutiful care of Ron over the past three years. A memorial service will be held at Weaver Mortuary in Yucaipa on Mon., Sept. 14, 2015 at 11 a.m. A private burial will take place at Riverside National Cemetery on Sept. 28, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Kaiser Football

Henry J. Kaiser High School

11155 Almond Avenue

Fontana, CA 92337