Ronald Lee Hord

RONALD LEE HORD
August 20, 1937 – February 22, 2024

Ronald Lee Hord, age 86, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, February 22, 2024. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the fall but had been in declining health in recent years.

Ron was born to the late Robert Mason Hord and Ruth Elaine (Harvey) Hord on August 20, 1937, in Bucyrus, Ohio. He was married November 1, 1985, to Rebecca Hall (Privett) Hord, who survives. She was also a devoted caregiver in his final years.

Ron graduated from Holmes-Liberty High School in 1955 and went on to graduate from Columbus Business College with a business degree in accounting. He was a proud military veteran, having spent eight years with the Ohio Army National Guard.

A man of many talents, Ron was involved in farming, ditching, and worked seven years at the Timken Company in Bucyrus. With his business partner and friend, John Blackford, they owned and operated the Chatfield Farmers Exchange as well as their own realty company where Ron was the broker. He then found his calling in independent sales and represented several agricultural companies, managing a dealer network across several states until he retired. After that he owned Small Farm in Amish country and enjoyed selling fruits and vegetables, and running his own weekend kettle corn business.

Ron had been a member of First Community Church, Columbus, Ohio, for 36 years. He was a lifetime member of both the Leesville Grange, part of the Ohio State Grange; and a 32nd degree Master Mason with the Nevada, Ohio, lodge, part of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA. He served on the original foundation restoring the Harvey One Room Schoolhouse, Bucyrus, completing one year as president. Ron had previously been involved with Volkswagen bus organizations. He enjoyed coin collecting, traveling, including mission trips, and wintering with Becky in Florida and later Arizona. A total "people" person, his faith, family, and friends meant the world to him.

In addition to wife, Becky, he is survived by his children, Lisa Kay (Gary) Miller and Lori Rae (Gary) Morrow; his step-children, Eric James Hall and Lynn Rebecca Hall; his daughters' mother, Mary Jane (Emerson) Hord; his grandsons, Benjamin Michael Hubble, Max Mason (Destiny Bloomfield) Miller, and Hunter Thomas Morrow; his great-grandchildren, Madelyn Marie Hubble, Ethan Benjamin Hubble, and Macie Kaye Hubble; his brother, Robert Duane (Inez) Hord; his sister, Beverly Joanne (Hord, Gilliland) Spiegel; and numerous nieces and nephews, along with his many first and second cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Lucinda Lee Hord, and by his great-grandson, Gavin Michael Smith.

Donations in Ron's memory may be made to: The Cat Welfare Association, Columbus, OH 43214; The Harvey School Operating Fund of Projects, Inc. through The Community Foundation for Crawford County, Ohio; The Michael J. Fox Foundation; or charity of choice.

Ron's private family graveside burial will be held at Kingwood Memorial Park, Lewis Center, Ohio. Ron's family will welcome those who wish to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., being held at the Hord Family Farms Visitors Center, 911 St. Rt. 98, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820.