Lt. Col. Ramon A. Waldrop USAF/Ret.'s Obituary
Lieutenant Colonel Ramon A. Waldrop. USAF/retired, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016 in Gainesville. He was born July 6, 1920, in Parrish, Alabama, to Robert and Mattie (Williamson) Waldrop.
Lt. Colonel Waldrop retired from active service in 1966 after a tour of duty as executive officer of the University of Florida Air Force ROTC program. His retirement was an active one. As a civilian he served as the Executive Secretary of the United Fund of Gainesville, the Executive Director of the Gainesville Housing Authority and finally as a real estate developer and broker.
Mr. Waldrop graduated from the University of Alabama, class of 1941, with a major in English. He then taught high school math and history, coached football and baseball and continued his own education. On October 16, 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was trained as a navigator. He served in that capacity on B-24 Liberators during World War II from May until September, 1944, flying 31 missions over Germany and France with the 491st Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He then was trained as a B-25 Bomber pilot, serving on German, Japanese and U.S. military bases after the war.
During his Air Force career, Lt. Colonel Waldrop received the Distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and multiple campaign medals.
A true intellectual, Mr. Waldrop was fluent in French, Spanish and Italian. Active physically during most of his life, he was an avid tennis player and racquet ball champion, winning many amateur tournaments.
Mr. Waldrop is survived by his wife, Sandra. Other survivors include his five daughters, Patricia Lockridge, Carol (Billy) Southerland, Cathy (Benny) Beckham, Debbie (Lynn) Robinson, and Cindy (Tom) Austgen, and his step-children Brenda Geiger, Kimberly Allen, and Alton Geiger III, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Glen and his sister Evelyn.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 21, 2016 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to the United Way, 6031 NW 1st Pl, Gainesville, FL 32607.
What’s your fondest memory of Ramon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ramon?
Share a story where Ramon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ramon you’ll never forget.
How did Ramon make you smile?
