Ronald Lee Joyce

Ronald Lee Joyce, 84 of Grayling, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Gaylord at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital.

Born in Indianapolis, IN on April 25, 1934, Ron was the son of Carl and Fayne (Chandler) Joyce.  After graduating from T.C. Howe High School in Indianapolis, Ron went on to Purdue University where he received his Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering.

On September 18, 1955 Ron married Ruth A. Bretz.  They moved to Midland, MI after he graduated from Purdue and he joined Dow Corning.  After several years Ron and his young family moved to Battle Creek where he worked at Post Division of General Foods.  During his time there, Ron attended graduate school at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he received his MBA.

A move with General Foods to Maxwell House Coffee took the family to Houston, TX for a few months.  They eventually moved to Pontiac and later Clarkston, MI.  Ron worked as purchasing director in the Pontiac school district before moving on to Lake Orion Schools where he was business manager until his retirement.

After retiring Ron and Ruth moved to Grayling where he was able to further pursue his love of fly fishing.  He was an active member of Michigan Trout Unlimited where he was coordinator of their fly fishing school and a recipient of the State Chairman’s Award.  Also an avid hunter, Ron enjoyed deer hunting, turkey hunting and other bird hunting.  He and Ruth enjoyed traveling throughout the continental United States and to Alaska, Ireland and Mexico.  Ron was a Ham radio operator for many years and in later years he learned to play piano.  His family will remember him as an enthusiastic lifelong learner, always looking forward to expanding his knowledge.

On October 27, 2008 Ron was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife of 54 years.  Surviving are his daughters, Dawn (Ed) Leichtnam of Gaylord and Gayle (Kevin) Asmus of Clarkston; and his five grandchildren, Kaitlin Leichtnam, Elise (Patrick) Barritt, Maryn Leichtnam, Jacob Asmus and Tori Asmus.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service where the family will visit with friends beginning at 11:00 AM.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Michigan Trout Unlimited.  Donations in memory of Ron Joyce will be directed to the Fly Fishing School.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com