Ronald Allison, 80, of Sparta, passed away unexpectedly, in Jackson, on Aug. 23, 2025.
Ron was born Aug. 31, 1944, in Muncie, Indiana, to James Albert and Goldie Melton Allison.
After high school, his early career as a barber was put to use when the United States Army came calling. Utilizing his training as a barber, Ron offered soldiers haircuts for 50 cents while serving in Vietnam. After fulfilling his military commitment, Ron moved to Sparta where he worked for his uncle, Sam Brady, at Brady Printing Company, then later at UPS.
While at UPS, Ron bought a KE175 motorcycle that was shipped to him in a crate - assembly fully required. That project began an exciting new career path for Ron. The enjoyment he found with that led him to trading and working on motorcycles, which ultimately motivated him to take a gamble on himself to succeed with the creation of Mid-State Motorsports. In addition, Ron was also the founder of the former Merchandise Liquidators in Sparta.
From an early age, Ron always had a need for speed. In fact, his very first date with his beloved wife was a drag race - which he of course won. He always enjoyed drag racing and racing Legend Cars. He was a man of few words unless he was speaking about his cars. The need for speed didn’t end with cars, though. At the age of 70, Ron set the Speed World Record for Super Stock Jet Skis at 92.3 mph. In addition to racing, he had a love of the water that was cultivated from his time spent fishing with his mother as a child.
Ron was saved at the age of 55 and attended Central Church of Christ. Through good times and bad, he always held strong to the belief that “God has always taken care of our family.” That trust and unwavering belief has proudly been handed down through the generations of the Allison family and was evident in Ron’s often unspoken generosity in helping others. He leaves behind an everlasting legacy of love.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gene Allison.
Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his wife of 56 years, Carol Allison; two daughters, Sylinia (Robert) Oakes and Amanda (Todd) Hudson; four grandchildren that knew him as Poppie, Laney (Cole) Crosland, Madison (Cameron) Hawkins, Sophie (Kade) Clark, Wes Hudson; and three great-grandchildren, Asher and Lynnie Hawkins and Harrison Clark.
Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with Ron's cremation, and a memorial service will be 6 p.m., Aug. 28, 2025, at Central Church of Christ. The Allison family asks that memorials be made to Mustard Seed Ranch, 4725 Kuykendall Rd., Cookeville, Tennessee 38501.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
