Ronald "Ronnie" Charles Young's Obituary
Ronald “Ronnie” Charles Young, also known to some as “Possum”, age 79 of Gainesville, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Shands UF Hospital. Ronnie was born January 3, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan to Lewis and Gretchen Ehrmann Young. A self-employed contractor/builder, Ronnie owned Young Custom Homes.
Ronnie was very involved in his community, having been a member of Gainesville Quarterback Club, Touchdown Club, Eastside Garden Club, Once a Month Bunch, Elks Club, ROTC at the University of Florida and Gainesville Jaycees. He was a former president of Alachua County Home Builders Association, a lifetime donor at Life South and to say the least, an avid Gator fan. He enjoyed farming and was passionate about it, always wanting to get back home to his farm. Ronnie was a loving father who always remained involved with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole Freeland Young. He is survived by daughters, Leigh Anne Young (John East Jr.) and Amy Young Nihira all of Gainesville, FL; sisters, Mary Anne Baker and Joan Whidden, both of Fort Myers, FL and grandson, Tariq Nihira.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 3:00 p.m., at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street, with a reception to follow. A Gathering of friends and family will be held Friday, January 26, 2018, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to the American Cancer Society, 2119 SW 16th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608.
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