Ronald Wayne Lindegren

“The Life and Times of My Beloved Husband, Ron” My husband, “Ronald W. “Ron” Lindegren”, quietly passed away on April 16, 2026, after complications from a sudden and catastrophic injury earlier in the month. In those last hours, he spoke with me, with our son, Ron Jr. and with our daughter‑in‑law, Shelly. He limited contact with others, wanting only the family he loved most to surround him. We stayed by his side, giving him peace and comfort as he slipped away from this world. Ron was born in Fresno, California on August 23, 1948, to “Norma A. and Henry Lindegren”. As a young man he was active in the Clovis Chapter of DeMolay, even serving as Chaplain. In high school he worked as a gas station jockey, where he began developing the love of automotive service that would shape so much of his life. During his senior year at McLane High School, he was introduced to me—then *Betsy Kay*—the young woman who would become his lifelong partner. We married in March of 1969, not even a year after I graduated from Fresno High School and started working. Ron attended Fresno City College while working part‑time as a light mechanic. Then in May of 1970, the Army drafted him. He went to Fort Ord for Boot Camp and Basic Training. From October 9, 1970 to October 8, 1971, he served honorably in Vietnam as a combat soldier, earning the Bronze Star and other decorations. During that difficult year, my dear friend “Linda Kliegl” helped me through every moment of worry, creating a bond with both Ron and me that has lasted our entire lives. When Ron returned home, we started building our life together. We bought our first house in 1973, a car in 1974, a boat in 1975, and in 1976 we welcomed our son, Ron Jr. Our home was always filled with pets—Tippy and Jojo, our cats, and our beloved dogs Baby, Boom‑Boom, Boots, Boo, and finally Miska. Ron loved them all deeply. After years working as a mechanic for others, Ron became a founding member of “Lamona Service Center, Inc.” He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the first two years, then as Vice President and Manager until he took early retirement so I could focus on my own career. During that time, while staying home with our son, Ron became involved in every sport Ron Jr. loved, coaching many of his teams. He realized how important it was to him to be a positive male role model, and he scheduled his college courses around our son’s school and sports schedules. He went back to school with a seriousness and maturity shaped by life itself. In 1989, Ron paused his classes to care for his own father during his time in a nursing home. Later he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fresno, then completed an additional year to become certified in Early Childhood Education. Four years later, he once again put his career on hold—this time to care for my mother, bringing her into our home. Ron finished his teaching career in 1998 at age 50 and retired once more, turning his attention to his love of cooking and, thanks to our dear friends Larry and Susan, to wine tasting. One of Ron’s greatest joys in life was nurturing our son and watching him grow into the remarkable man he is today. Ron Jr. earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in December 2000 and works in that field for the County of Fresno. In 2011, he married the love of his life, Shelly—a blessing to our family. Their “grand‑dogs,” Coco (now passed) and Carmel, brought us endless joy. In 2015, Ron realized a lifelong dream when he ordered a brand‑new 2015 Corvette Stingray Coupe, built exactly to his specifications. In 2016, we joined “Corvettes of Fresno, Inc.”, a community that became an extension of our family. In 2021, Ron bought a new Corvette Hard Top Convertible and handed the Coupe to me—because he couldn’t bear to part with either one. For the past ten years, we have traveled near and far with our Corvette family, creating memories I will treasure for the rest of my life. He loved doing yardwork, staying active, pushing through the health challenges life brought us, always with determination and optimism. Ron’s passing was sudden and unexpected. When he understood that his time was limited, he did what he always did—he faced it honestly and practically. His only concern was for me, for our son, for our daughter‑in‑law, and for his dog. He asked for reassurance that we would all be okay. He told us he loved us. And then, with the same quiet strength he showed all his life, he slipped away. I know he is still with us. He lives in our hearts, in the life we built, in the love we shared, and in the countless people whose lives he touched. His impact on this world—on me, on our family—is immeasurable. This is the life of a great man. And I am honored to have been his wife.

Tributes

Ronald Wayne Lindegren

August 23, 1948 - April 16, 2026