Ronald Edward Janeway was born April 3, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, to Frank and Angie Janeway. Ron served in the US Air Force before transitioning to the aircraft industry as a civilian and retiring from Rockwell International, in 1993. On Aug. 19, 1982, he married Paula Zimmerman, and together they raised one son, Ron, and three daughters, Denise, Denette, and Shawna.
Ron was easygoing and easily approachable. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and have a new friend inside five minutes. His relationship with God was central to him, and, in the 1980s, Ron created a children’s ministry, Zechariah the Mountain Man, and produced a series of episodes for a local TV station. The ministry had a profound impact on those who were involved, and, to this day, people still have wooden Zechariah coins they carry with them.
Ron’s creativity and handyman skills extended beyond children’s ministry. He was renowned for building elaborate Christmas scenes in his yard every year, even winning neighborhood awards for his effort. He could (and did) repurpose almost anything and transform it into something artistic or useful: water features, bird houses, concrete storm shelters, you name it.
He loved being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting (mostly because it was outdoors), and he enjoyed watching Hallmark Christmas movies in a way that no one could understand. But most of all, Ron loved his kids and grandkids. He was a kind and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and each person in the family was touched in a special and unique way by his love.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Paula; his four children, Ron (Brenda), Denise (Greg), Denette (Samson), Shawna (Ben); 16 grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother. His loss is felt terribly by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the YMCA, an organization devoted to supporting children.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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