Ron Hannon, 81, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Saturday November 24th, 2018 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Memorial services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. John Bishop will give the eulogy. Interment will be private. The family will greet friends following the service.
Ron was born November 3, 1937, in Colquitt County, Georgia to the late D.J. & Lena Mae Tucker Hannon. He was a 1955 graduate of Colquitt County High School. He is also preceded in death by his sister; Linda Gail Cooper of Sylvester, Georgia.
Ron served his country honorably by serving in the Georgia Army National Guard. Enlisting in 1954, he served in the 48th Armored Division, Moultrie, Ga., the Co B, 2nd BN, 121 INF, Fitzgerald, Ga., later as Command Sgt. Maj. HQS, 48th INF BDE, Macon, Ga. where he retired as a Sgt. Maj. /E-9 with 35 years. He also served In the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot at Spence Field in Moultrie, Ga.
Ron has been employed in many trades from being a gunsmith to a salesman. However, his passion was radio broadcasting and he began as a youngster at WMGA Radio as an announcer while living in Moultrie, Ga. Later, moving to Sylvester, Ga., he was an announcer and station manager at WOGA Radio. It was during this time he coined the phrase “Peanut Capital of the World” for the first time on the radio. Relocating to Fitzgerald Ga., he was employed with IMC which later changed to Fitzgerald Rail Car where he would retire as plant manager. In his retirement, as a service to his community, he enjoyed his position as the Jail Administrator with the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
Ron loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a people person and loved to share stories. His favorite past time, was riding with his buddy “Max” in the truck and smoking his cigar. He had a fondness of guns, flying and skydiving. He was an active member at the First Baptist Church Sportsman Sunday School Class. He was also a Master Mason of Pine Level Lodge #353.
Ron is survived by his spouse of 39 years, Kay A. Hannon of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: Rhonda Hannon of Fitzgerald, Linda Irwin of Cedar Rapids, Dru & Melissa Hannon of Fitzgerald, Jay Paulk of Fitzgerald, Lyn & Allen Brady of Atlanta and Suzanne & Randy New of Valdosta; grandchildren: Ashley Strickland, Natisha Harvill, Austin Hannon, Brayden Hannon, Presley Paulk , Ty Paulk, Marley Kate Paulk , Chandler James, Conner James, Landon New, Brooklyn New; Four Great-Grand Children
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to the Sportsmens Sunday School Class, % First Baptist Church, P O Box 367, Fitzgerald, Georgia, 31750.