Col. Ronald Eugene Beasley (Ret.)

Ronald Eugene Beasley, 65, of Dade City, Fla., was killed June 15, 2016, in an automobile accident while travelling through Montana.

Ron was born Sept. 9, 1950, in Urbana, the son of Donald and Marjorie Beasley (nee Miller).

He graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. He later earned a Master of Science in Management from Florida Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Ron proudly served in the United States Army for 30 years and retired Jan. 1, 2004, as a colonel. Among his awards are the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He earned the Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Parachute Rigger Badge.

Ron grew up in Mahomet.  He married Glenda J. Ellis of Waterloo on Oct. 1, 1976. They enjoyed travelling the world during his military career and then settled in Dade City, Fla.

He spent his retirement years golfing, playing chess, hiking and spoiling his grandchildren. They travelled extensively in recent years, visiting all 50 states, and especially enjoyed hiking to waterfalls, slot canyons and mountains.

Ron summited 29 state high points, and never passed up an opportunity to visit a national park or monument.

Those who will miss Ron the most are his wife, Glenda; sons, Jeremy (Linda) Beasley, of Norrkoping, Sweden, and Jarrod (Laura) Beasley of Belleville; grandchildren Linnea, Ty, Reagan, Nathan and Zoe Beasley; his father, Don, of Champaign; his twin brother, Rick (Ginny) Beasley of Urbana; his sisters, Marcia Miller (Charles Middleton) of Champaign, Karren Keith of Villa Grove, and Kathy Jacobs (Perry) of Tampa, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered fondly by the many soldiers with whom he served and by his golfing partners.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Beasley.

Col. Beasley will be laid to rest with full honors Nov. 30, 2016, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Contact a family member for more details if you would like to attend the service.