We started to write a eulogy like any other you might hear on a day such as this. Then we realized that just wasn't possible. You weren't like any other.

We started to talk about your life. Then we realized there wasn't enough time to tell all the "Ron" stories about how you make us laugh, better yet, how we laughed together. There wasn't enough paper to write how you touched our hearts, inspired us, changed our lives.

And we struggled with who could stand and speak about you...about your life.
Then we realized that no ONE of us could do it.
No one of us could describe you.
No one of us could explain
No one of us could do you justice.

What speaks loudest, What IS you, Is us together, here, today.

Your collection of people.

Some people collect stamps, Some collect coins. You collected people. You collected us. We are honored to be your collection. You treasured us, you tended to us, you dusted us off when we needed it. And you made each of us feel as if we were your best find yet.

Ron, We're sitting here waiting for you to shuffle in with your visor and flip-flops, and tell us the party can start now, 'cuz you're here.

We can't help but think that any moment the phone will ring and you'll be on the other end, and ask, "What's goin' on?" Which usually meant, "Got a minute for me to tell you what I think's goin' on?"

Or, You might be calling to tell us your latest philosophy on life. Or how if people would just consult you, things would be more organized. To keep us posted on the mullet watch. Or to advise us on the latest hair care product and if only we would listen, we, too could have soft, shiny hair.

Or, We'll hear, "Guess where I am?" And it could be Montana, California, Australia or Spokane. And you're on your latest adventure, with your new treasure of people. It could be New York and you're at the ESPY awards, or a racetrack and you're sitting in the pit. You could be just about anywhere. Nothing would surprise us."You could even be sitting in a church parking lot and your next words are, "I just got saved." And your frequent words, "This stuff just doesn't matter," takes on a whole new meaning.

Ron, How do we say, "Good-bye?" How do we let you go?

We were with you on adventures. We were with you in cars, in the woods, on the water, in the air, on the floor, in tents, in the ocean.

We had so much fun; we had so much life with you.

We are grateful beyond words, Ron.

Not only did you collect all of us, you found what you were searching for, Your soul mate, Your lover, Your best friend, The love of your life. As your friends, we gotta tell you, when you found her, not only did we not lose any part of you, we gained another you, a female you. You were true partners, truly man and a women joined as one.
Alone you were amazing.
Alone she is amazing.
Together, you were magical.
And as in perfect Ron-style, you shared her with those who didn't know her You made her collection of people, yours and you started one together.

Our lives were never the same. We all wanted to be near you two. We wanted to share life with both of you Where you two were, life was happening Where you two were, love was happening. And you gave us ALL a family. You were our son, you were our brother, you were our uncle, your were our father figure. You were our family.

We have so much love for you, Ron. And so much love BECAUSE of you.

You live in us In our words, in our thoughts, in our gatherings, in our hearts...

And, in our next adventure.

Words fail me, but you never did. But as you would tell me.

I will face my fears,
I will live my dreams.