LCDR Ronald Lee Roberson CHC USN (Ret.), age 82, of Mount Gilead, died Saturday afternoon, November 21, 2009. Ronald was Pastor Emeritus at First Baptist, Mt. Gilead and very well known in our region. Ronald was born in New Albany, Indiana on April 1, 1927. He was a graduate of Campbellsville High School in Kentucky, Georgetown (Baptist) College in Kentucky, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He was ordained into the ministry at Campbellsville Baptist Church, his home church on Wednesday, May 11, 1949, and he was one of the first ministers to go out from his home church.
On July 1, 1947, Ronald married the love of his life, Anna Ellen Vaughan at the Campbellsville Baptist Church in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Together they shared over 62 wonderful years of marriage.
With great honor, Ronald served 22 years in the United States Navy, with 20 of those years as a Navy Chaplain. His duties also included being a Public Information Officer. His time in the Navy took him to many parts of the United States and all over the world. In 1971, he received the Secretary of the Navy’s “Navy Achievement Medal,” a personal medal for exceptional achievement.
An American Baptist Pastor, Ronald served the Lord in many different churches including: the First Southern Baptist Church in Charleston, Illinois, Stanley Baptist Church in Stanley, Kentucky, Hutsonville Country Baptist Church in Hutsonville, Illinois, Green Camp Baptist Church in Green Camp, Ohio, Bryn Zion Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church in Mount Gilead. He was also very instrumental in starting the Spears Mill Baptist Church in Paris, Kentucky, and the First Southern Baptist Church in Mattoon, Illinois. An interesting event for Ron as a Pastor was marrying John McCain and his first wife in Philadelphia. He continued to follow McCain’s career through the 2008 election.
For many years, Ronald ran a very successful internet based business, “Amish Hickory Rockers.” He sold and shipped hundreds of rocking chairs to people all over the United States. He ran it as a “people business,” not in it for a large profit but to meet many new and interesting people.
Since 1974, Ronald was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mount Gilead, where he served as Pastor Emeritus since 1999. He was also a member of the Mount Gilead Kiwanis and had served in various association and ABC Ohio roles.
In the 60’s and 70’s, Ronald enjoyed his CB Radio hobby, going by the name “Rainmaker” with his call letters being KPJ3159. He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, hunting, and fishing.
Always a hard working individual, Ronald had a side that loved a good practical joke. He was destined to be a joker, having been born on April Fool’s Day.
A Buckeye at heart, Ronald was a huge fan of The Ohio State University football and basketball programs.
Ronald’s biggest passion was for his family, always being there and providing for them and taking great pride in all of their accomplishments. Unique moments included having the honor to baptize and perform the wedding services for all three of his children.
Ronald will be dearly missed by his wife Ann, of Mount Gilead; three children: Mary Ellen (Joe) Hupfer of Mount Gilead, Nita (Rod) Neel of Bellville, David (Heather) Roberson of Sylvania, Ohio; eight grandchildren: Tony (Tiffani) Hupfer of Mount Gilead, Carrie (Eric) Frey of Fairport, New York, Ryan McDonald of Columbus, Ria Hutchinson of New Albany, Ryan Neel of Big Sky, Montana, Ross and Wyatt Roberson of Sylvania, Lacie (Steve) Fisher of Mount Gilead; six great grandchildren: Jacob and Zachary Sturges, Caden Frey, Nicole Hutchinson, Karley and Kasen Fisher; another great grandchild on the way, Mason Hupfer; two cousins: Betty Gromer of Dublin, Pennsylvania and Ann Bullington of Franklin, Indiana; and his beloved canine companion, Brittany.
Memorial Contributions, if desired, may be made to the First Baptist Church.
For those wishing to express their condolences to the Roberson family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
