Ronald Edward Carman
August 14, 1941 ~ February 22, 2022
Born in:
Louisville, Kentucky
Resided in:
Dacula, Georgia
Ron Carman (80) of Dacula, GA, passed away peacefully at home on February 22, 2022. He was born in Louisville, KY to Odie and Grace Carman.
Ron graduated from Southern High School in Louisville. He attended Asbury College and graduated from the University of Louisville where he was President of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. He began his career with General Electric where he worked his way from Management Trainee to Customer Relations Regional Manager, to Area Manager in Product Service. He left GE after 21 years to work as an Area Service Manager at Montgomery Ward and later at Philips Consumer’s Electronics. After receiving many promotions and awards, he retired from the corporate world in 2000.
Ron was most proud of his 24-year military career as a United States Army Reserve Officer, which ran concurrently with his demanding corporate career. After serving as a Combat Medic, he received a direct commission. He reached the pinnacle of his career as a Lieutenant Colonel and as the Commander of the 92nd Medical Battalion (Springfield, IL). In November 1991 his unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Ron was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a volunteer for the 3rd Medical Command Family Support Group. Upon retirement he found a calling to work at Rite of Passage, where he enjoyed mentoring troubled young people.
He was an avid antique collector. He loved all forms of the arts, especially theater and music, spending hours enjoying the Ken Burns’ documentary, “Country Music”. He was a true country boy at heart and relished his wonderful memories of growing up on a small farm. He loved taking road trips with Donna in his 1960 Bentley, vacations at the ocean, horseback riding, and spending time with his 10 grandchildren. Ron was a man who always chose to do the right thing, rather than the easy thing. Everyone who knew him loved and respected him and he will be greatly missed by his extended family, friends, and past co-workers.
Ron is predeceased by his parents, his brother, James Carman, his niece, Cheri Carman, and his precious daughter Jennifer Carman. Ron is survived by his forever sweetheart, Donna Carman. Every day for 34 years he showed her the depth of his love. He leaves at home, Jennifer’s wonderful children, Justin and Alyssa Lee. He leaves behind his son and best friend, Jason Carman and his wife, Cecelia (Dede) of Lake in the Hills, IL and their children Benjamin and Grace; daughter, Rachel Walker, and her husband, Robert of Lithia, FL, and their children Peyton, Reid, Quincy, and Alec, and great granddaughter, Anais Britton; and his beloved stepdaughter Kristin Kelley, her husband James of Grayson, GA and their daughters, Sophia and Danielle. He also leaves a large and wonderful extended family including his sister-in-law, Patricia Carman, niece Julie (Barry) Denton and nephew Jeff (Donna) Carman.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Aberdeen Place Hospice, especially Sheena and Jessie, and the Station #30 Gwinnett County firemen who came to assist Ron on several occasions.
Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville have been entrusted with the arrangements. Rolling Honor Guard Services will be provided by the Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia. The Ride Captain is Rick “Claus” Hyman. Services for Ron will be private. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Ron’s memory to the Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia at www.pgrofga.com or P.O. Box 2025, Toccoa, GA 30577.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of Ron, and our arms reach out to his family, especially his wife and my sister Donna.
Thank you Jim and Pam.
A few days before he passed, he looked at me and said, “We had a ride, didn’t we honey?”. We sure did! The depth of his love will sustain me for the rest of my life.
You had a beautiful ride indeed
Jim and Pam McCarthy
Ron will forever live in our hearts. His wonderful sense of humor and unique way of conversing with us will sadly be missed.
Our love to you Donna.
Thank you so much Dan and Sandy, he loved talking and cutting up with you.
Ron was such a good man and friend. He had a genuine way to make everyone feel comfortable. He had such a great sense of humor. He touched everyones life that he came in contact with. He will truly be missed by so many.
Oh, thank you Leslie. He’s with Bob now, laughing, and carrying on like fools! What a forever tribe we have! We are blessed.
Love to you and the family. You are surrounded by support and welcoming arms. God bless.
Thank you Sandi. Your support has meant so much to me. Ron loved the Aurora as much as we do. I can’t wait to see you again.
Oh Donna, I am so very, very sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. I surely can’t say anything to make this easier or to make you feel better but please know you have our deepest sympathy and prayers. I truly wish I could give you a hug right now.
Thank you Pat and Warren. I value all the time we spent together, and I appreciate your support so much. Next time you are on one of your adventures in far flung places, take a minute to remember Ron, as he always loved to hear of your escapades! He was quite jealous you know!
It’s been a long time since Siena! I last saw you at my house in Ronkonkoma and the bakery in Medford. But I heard about your husband and wanted to give you my sincere condolences. Use your happy memories together to comfort you during this difficult time.
So wonderful to hear from you Colleen, I’ve thought of you a hundred times. Thanks for expressing your condolences, it means a lot to me. You didn’t know Ron, but he was a wonderful man. Let’s get together at Reunion ’22. I’ll be there!
This is my Ron, every day, in every way, he showed me how much he loved me. So, I will have a lifetime of his love in my heart.
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” Garth Brooks
Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She’s lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt
The way I feel about her in my heart
If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she’s my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face this world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes
‘Cause I’ve lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there’s no second chance to tell her how I feel
‘Cause if tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she’s my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face this world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes
So tell that someone that you love
Just what you’re thinking of
If tomorrow never comes
Roger and I are so sorry for your loss. I know you’re heartbroken, Donna. We carry you in our hearts and prayers. Love you forever ♥️
Thank you for your prayers Brenda and Roger. And you know Ron and me, I truly am heartbroken. It’s impossible to imagine life without him. Oh, the times we all had in Chicago and Atlanta. Roger saved me while Ron was in Saudi and he was the poor soul who had to tell me when my Dad passed away. I love you two forever. Hugs to you both.
Nick and I send our deepest sympathies on hearing of your loss Donna. My memories of you and Ron are full of fun and laughter. He will be missed. My prayers for Ron’s soul will be numerous.
Love to you always, Mary Piacentini
Thank you Mary. Send up your prayers for him. We did have fun, didn’t we? He thought so highly of you. Thanks for you caring and love.
COL Carman,
Donna, Mary and I send our most sincere condolences at the passing of Ron. I was shocked because it seemed like you had just sent a text so very close to the exact time he died. I did not know Ron as well as Mary did, but her stories (and your stories) made him feel like a lifelong friend to me. And the one time I did get to meet him, you two were right: “he made me feel like I had known him for a very long time.”
I enjoyed serving with you at the MEDCOM (Decatur). We hit it off right away with you being my one of my Officers and me being your CSM. You were always there for me–and for that I will never forget. Still to his day I thank the Lord for our times together both in Decatur (and in Atlanta). You could always make me laugh and yet be professional. I am so glad you came into my military life and into the lives of so many Soldiers! You helped so many–especially our enlisted Soldiers, who also loved you so much.
Again, Mary and I (and our Nicole) send our best! Mary feels horrible but knows your faith (our faith) will get you through this. Our best to Kristin. With deep regrets to you and the entire Family Carman.
Sincerely,
Nick Piacentini Jr.
CSM (Retired)
Oh Nick, thanks so much for those kind words. Yes, I was writing the letter to Mary as I sat in the living room watching my dear Ron live his last hours. He was sleeping peacefully. I loved him dearly, and I will live with the love he filled me with while he was alive. It’s hard Nick.
Ron was such a thoughtful person, always remembering and sending birthday cards to us. As a kid at Grace and Odie’s, Ron played with his younger cousins in the pool. He had such a great and contagious laugh. Distance as we all grew older made it harder to stay in touch. Ron was always so faithful in remembering mom and dad (Judy and Otis). I have great memories of Ron as a funny, strong, loving, family man.
Donna, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Much love, Debbie Johnston Wilkins
Thank you, Debbie. He loved his extended family so much. He spoke with your Dad several times a year and one of my first concerns was, “who’s going to tell Otis”. Well, your Dad called me and we had a wonderful and tearful conversation about Ron’s life. I told him some old country stories that Ron had shared with me over the years and we both laughed. And he told me some Ron and Otis stories. He loved your Dad so much, and so do I. I’ll miss Ron terribly, he was such a wonderful man.
I just saw this information and was very saddened by the news. We lost another comrade from the 92nd back in December 2022 (Jeffrey Murray). My condolences to Donna and the entire family.