Ronald Waggoner

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: 3:00 p.m. Saturday April 5, 2014 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home VISITATION: 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Just Friends Adult Day Care. Ronald L. Waggoner, 77, of Columbus, IN, passed away peacefully at his home, March 30, 2014. Ron was born in Columbus, IN, November 19, 1936, the second son of Hezekiah James Waggoner and Rowena May Carmichael. Ron graduated from Freetown High School in 1955, and then graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1960, with a BA in both Journalism and Economics. Ron began his career, which lasted 25 years, at The Republic Newspaper, run by Home News Enterprises (HNE). That time was filled with much experience, mostly due to advice from Bob Brown and Ned Bradley on the newspaper business. Starting at the bottom, Ron learned quickly and was moved to Plainfield, IN, to manage the local newspaper, The Messenger, which he guided to its first profitable year. Ron then moved back to Columbus and served as Business Manager for The Republic. Soon after, Ron was elevated to Vice President, and oversaw financial operations and fulfilled other company-wide duties. During this time, he also served as president of the Senior Retirement Foundation and president of Volunteers of America and was a member of The United Way, a member of the newly formed YMCA Board of Directors and a member of Harrison Lake Country Club, The Bob Gordon Scholarship Fund and Director of United Way Contributions. In 1986, Ron left the HNE organization to join J.F. Molloy as a consultant advisor for various companies and organizations. In 1987, Ron left J.F. Molloy to accept a position with the French Government/Bull HN Property in Boston, Massachusetts. Ron took responsibility for major accounts including General Motors, Ford Automotive, Chrysler Motors, and Metropolitan Life Insurance. He retired in 1996 and returned home to tend the needs of his aging mother, Rowena. Ron is survived by his brother, David Waggoner, Freetown; his sister-in-law, Nellie Waggoner (wife of his older brother, Kenneth Waggoner, deceased 2010), Freetown; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ron is also survived by his dear friend, Carolyn Goblick, Boston; and his dearly loved friends, Brian and April Knox and their four children, Nick (Kristen) Shaw, Amanda, Adam and Joshua Knox, Columbus. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Waggoner.

Ronald Waggoner

November 19, 1936 - March 30, 2014