Obituary for Ronny Lee Douglas
“Even death will have no power to quiet your name from beating wildly in our hearts.”- Hafiz
Ronny Lee Douglas’s friends and family struggle to say goodbye to his body, but his soul and spirit are present in every part of our lives. His friends and family have been a constant support and presence through his courageous eleven-year battle with cancer. Bud and our entire family appreciate all the love and care we received from his doctor, Dr. Sharief, and his favorite nurse, Wendy, and all the other staff who helped give us those precious eleven years with him. He walked with us before his body gave out, and he will walk with us through our own futures, enriching our lives and encouraging us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Growing up in the Douglas household with Bud was in many ways idyllic. We spent our childhood outdoors running rampant through the woods and neighborhood, and had an ideal childhood full of friends, family, and fun. There was never a dull moment with Ronny around.
If he wasn’t lying on the floor wrapped up in his favorite blue blanket, playing with his Hot Wheels cars, or playing hide and seek throughout the neighborhood, he was plotting practical jokes to play on his unsuspecting dad, mom, or sisters. All of us were influenced by his sense of humor and his selfless devotion to his family and friends.
Ronny was also an animal lover from a very young age. Every dog and cat he adopted was family to him. His dogs Shadow and later Fudgie were constant companions to him, and over the last few years of his life, he loved taking his chocolate lab Coco, and his pitbull Dutch on rides in the truck. He never needed a leash; those dogs just followed him everywhere he went.
One of the places he loved to spend time with his pets, family, and friends was in the great outdoors. He loved to go camping and spend time by the fire, and had a gift for gab and storytelling, just like his namesake, Big Ronny. Sitting with the family after a big family dinner and playing games or just relaxing and sharing memories was one of our favorite things to do.
He spent over twenty years working as a pipe fitter for the Anderson Water Department, and he met one of his closest friends, Derrick Soarres while working there, but his life outside of work is where he found his true joy. His friends were a huge part of his life and his support system through all of his struggles. Whether it was camping or hanging out at the Wallen compound with Dave and Gayle Wallen, or hanging out in the barn with his buddy Allen Wright, or just spending simple evenings with any of his friends, he was at his best around others. Some of his dearest friends including Brian Fish (Fishy), Tom and Theresa Gosser, Joe Gouker, Ray McKinney, and Billy Mahoney, and his neighbor, Larry Roberts always made his life feel full.
Visits to some of the places that held special meaning to Bud and our family are memories that we treasure. Bud loved our family trips to Treasure Island as the kids were growing up. Camping at Summit Lake State Park, throwing the ball for Coco to chase, and just relaxing by the constant glow of the campfire always brought him peace. In recent years, he loved to go to Arizona and drive around Sedona to see the high desert scenery. While all these places were significant to him, his favorite place was Dale Hollow Lake. Our family went there together for years, and as late as July of this year, he took his final trip with Heidi and his close friends to spend a week on the lake, a place he truly loved, with people who made him smile. We are so grateful that he got to enjoy those moments of sacred community.
Bud’s life revolved around family, and each of us holds our own memories of him in our hearts. He was a wise-cracking, fun-loving brother who was always willing to help his sisters, Michelle and Amber, with whatever they needed, even when they had to put out the fire that his sister Michelle started in the woods next to the house. He and his sister, Amber, loved to spend their youth irritating their older sister by grossing her out every morning during breakfast. As much as Bud loved joking around, he would drop what he was doing in a minute to come to help out. He was the epitome of a true brother. He had a close relationship with his step brother, Eric James, and a deep friendship with his stepsister, Erin James. His mother, Judy (Mullins) James, was his constant companion at his doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy treatments. She probably heard way more stories than she wanted to about his shenanigans, but she never faltered in her absolute devotion to him. His stepdad, Ron James, officiated his wedding and was a source of continual support for him. Bud shared many qualities, including his name, with his dad, Ronny Lee Douglas (Big Ronny), who passed away in 2023. They both loved cars, racing, practical jokes, and shooting the shit. Ronny also was an excellent role model and support for his nieces, Katie Surber and Hannah (Douglas) Trees, no matter their adventures.
Ronny’s life was devoted most to his immediate family, and his influence in their lives will continue to guide their paths. His wife Heidi was the caregiver who always did what was needed to take care of Ronny even when it was so hard to do. She was his travel buddy, his confidante, and his crutch when he needed her. Their children always held his heart. His son, Hunter, remembers their trips to Michigan race tracks when he was little and how his dad helped him make a track in the dirt to use to play with his cars, and sat with Hunter while he played—Hunter knew every Nascar driver by car and number as a child because of Ronny’s love of racing. His daughter, Maci, is an early riser, just like her dad, and she remembers their walks on the beach at sunrise heading to get breakfast together. His daughter, Maddie, says her dad always did whatever it took to keep smiles on their faces and appreciated his enthusiasm and enjoyment when he watched them play softball. And the newest addition to our family, his granddaughter Journee’s face would light up as soon as she knew her Papaw was around. She loved him dearly and she was a definite joy in his life right up until the end. Our whole family wishes Bud would have been here to greet his newest granddaughter, Kendall, arriving in February to Hunter and Marjley, but we will make sure she learns all about her Papaw Ronny.
Although Bud’s physical body gave out, his love is a part of us, and now he is everywhere. We hear him in each breath, his heart beats in each of our heartbeats, and his kindness lives in each of our actions.