Ronald Richard Nelson

Ronald Richard Nelson was at last called up to join an all-left-handers team in the esteemed bowling league in the sky. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday morning, May 27th. Born in Sault Ste Marie on March 29, 1952, Ron grew up in St. Ignace, where he met his first wife Carolyn (Sexton) during their senior year at LaSalle High School. They soon married and settled in Petoskey, and he quickly landed the job he’d enjoy for the next 38 years, working for the city in the Department of Public Works.

Ronnie was the son of a celebrated WWII Veteran and a famous pasty and pie chef. He was also brother to an incredible sister, Lynnea - a lifelong educator dedicated to teaching students with special needs. He loved his family, snowmobiling, fishing, sports, and speeding around in his first two cars (a ’64 Barracuda and ’70 Chevelle SS). As the Mackinac Bridge was being built down the road, he joined the Little League and his sports career began. For years in his 20s, Ron was the first baseman for a legendary Little Caesars softball team that was tough to beat, and he had a solid average on a renowned Tallberg bowling team, too. He rolled a 298 some fateful league night – a feat he downplayed for many years, refusing to wear the ring. Sometime around then, he also lost his hair.

He loved his six kids and took them wherever he went, mostly to get them out of the house so their Peds Nurse mom who worked midnights could get some sleep. For his kids, this meant trips to the U.P. to see family or on long drives to visit innumerable friends, to every State Park and beach from Charlevoix to Cheboygan, to all the used car lots to kick tires, to Victory Lanes and Spare Time Lanes always to “check on something,” and to every softball field in Northern Michigan to watch and play in countless tournaments.

In warmer months, Ron was often seen waving from an orange truck, driving between project sites around the city. In the colder months, and until all hours of the morning, he was the one in the tall orange snowplow rumbling by, methodically and meticulously moving snow so the schools and the city could open safely and on time.

Eventually, he traded earning softball and bowling trophies for ref’ing, umping and coaching games, and serving the community he loved. With only a legal pad, a pen, a phone, and a phonebook, he organized four annual trips to Detroit Tigers games for every boy on a Little League team and their dad. Those trips, that started at 6am in the Big Boy parking lot, continue on in the hearts of all who filled the caravan of conversion vans in a long line headed south to the old Tigers Stadium. He also began his run of decades as the cheerful 50/50 ticket vendor at Northmen football games, as Crew Leader at the DPW, and as the President of the Northern Michigan Bowlers Association.

It was through his love for bowling that Ron met his longtime partner of 30 years and wife, Janet.  He and Janet would spend decades of their lives together at the lanes, once even winning first place in the city’s bowling tournament. Some of their fondest memories came from competing in and organizing local, state and national tournaments.

In his later years, Ron treasured spending time with his grandchildren: watching Tommy golf, cheering at Paul’s baseball games, and tuning in for Tigers games with Kellan, Genevieve, Atom, Bowie and Rory.

Ron was a beloved dad, step-dad, husband and brother, a reliable, kindhearted and honest friend, a quick-witted emcee, an affable event organizer, a competitive teammate and coach, a social butterfly, a big softy, and a pretty good bowler – when he took his bowling shoes off for the last time just a couple years ago, he had one more ring in his bag. The number etched on it was 300.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Mary (Freeborn) and Karl “Curly” Nelson of St. Ignace, and is survived by his loving wife of 10 years Janet Moody-Becker, his sister Lynnea Nelson, as well as children Shannon, Joshua, Ryan, Chelsea (Tom) Trautman, Meagan (Marcus) Phillips, Bethany, and step-children Erin (Trevor) Smela, Anthony Becker, Danielle Moody-Becker, and Nick Becker. He was also a beloved grandfather to Tommy and Paul Trautman, and “Grumpa” to Kellan and Genevieve Russell, Atom Farley (Becker), and Bowie and Rory Becker.

Visitation will be held 6-8 pm Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.

A funeral service will be held 11 am Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the funeral home, with visitation starting at 10 am until the time of the service.  Burial will take place Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Donaldson Presbyterian Cemetery in Sault Sainte Marie.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Petoskey Little League or to his family to help with final expenses; C/O Janet Moody Becker, PO Box 396, Petoskey, MI 49770