Ronny "Ron" Head

Ronny G. Head was born June 9, 1945 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Verna and Glenn Head.  He passed away on April 9, 2017 after a 9 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ron grew up with his brother, Gary, in Klamath Falls. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in 1968. OSU was also where he met the love of his life and future bride, Judy Nelson.  After graduation, Ron enlisted in the US Air Force where he served honorably for four years, earning the rank of E5 Staff Sergeant.

Judy Nelson and Ron Head were married on June 20, 1970, while stationed at McCord AFB in Tacoma, Wash. Their first daughter, Kristen, was born there.  After leaving the service, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where their younger daughter, Karen, was born.  During those years in Portland, Ron worked in Sales and later owned a weatherization contracting business.

In the late 1980s, Judy accepted a job that took the family first to Kansas City and later to Dayton, Ohio, and finally Ocala, Florida, where they lived for 15 years before retiring and moving to Buckeye, Arizona.  During these years of roaming, Ron put his entrepreneurial talents to work – starting a very successful dry-cleaning establishment, opening an espresso bar, graduating from photography school, and becoming a commercial photographer for the Kansas City Star. He always welcomed new challenges, and took every opportunity to make a business successful. While working hard throughout his careers, he never lost sight of the important things in life, including spending time with his family and playing a lot of golf (he achieved 2 holes-in-one!!).

Ron was a loving husband, a kind father, a loyal friend and brother, and finally, an adoring grandfather (Papa).  He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Judy; his two daughters, Kristen Fromm of Kansas City, Kansas; and Karen Joyce of Portland, Oregon; four grandchildren, Caroline, Lucy, and Leo Fromm, and Patrick Joyce; and his brother Gary Head of Boring, Oregon.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 3 PM at Rose City Cemetery and Funeral Home at 5625 NE Fremont Street, Portland, Oregon.  A private interment will be held at a later date at Willamette National Cemetery.  The family requests donations to be made in lieu of flowers to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at support.pancan.org/goto/RonHead or by mail to 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA  90266.