Ronald Ring

Ronald “Ron” Ring, June 1, 1941 – April 29, 2025

As the sun began to set on the evening of April 29, 2025, “Ron left this world, steadfast in his belief that this was not the end for him, but the beginning. He often said that we aren’t humans who have spiritual experiences but are spiritual beings who have human experiences. His human experience, as we knew him, was rich in all the ways that matter: He was blessed with many friends and family. He was respected, loved, and admired for his sense of humor, generosity, work ethic, and his strong faith. At the same time, he had enough challenges in his life to teach him courage and keep him humble and prayerful.

Ron was a lifelong resident of Montana. While he spent part of his childhood in Glendive and in Lewistown, he boasted that he was born in Billings, went to high school five blocks from where he was born, and attended college eight blocks from where he was born. During his adult years he did travel quite a bit, seeing every part of the country and a few foreign ports, but Billings was always home.

Ron started working when he was 12 and retired at 71. During those years he always had at least one full-time job, and sometimes one or two part-time jobs in addition. He learned to do carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work as well as basic automotive repair. Ron joined the Army Reserves after high school and then attended Eastern Montana College, for a year, but left school in 1962 when he married Chere McVey and went to work full time to support their family and her through her college career. Together, Ron and Chere raised four children: Rhona, Kim, Roby, and Chad. The couple divorced in 2001.

Among the many jobs he had over his lifetime – and there were MANY – one of his favorites was as an over-the road truck driver. He loved early mornings behind the wheel, watching the sun come up and just enjoying the open road. He had many stories to share of his adventures during the many years he held this job. In the bitter cold winter of 1979, Ron was huddled against his truck where the biting sleet seemed to cut into him as he put chains on the tires to make his way safely over the next few hundred miles, it occurred to him then that there had to be a better way to make a living. He decided to go into real estate and turned his attention to studying for the licensing exam. Within a matter of only a few years, he was elected president of the Billings Realtors Association and, in 1992, he was elected president to the Montana Association of Realtors. He also served as a national director for 12 years. In addition to selling real estate, Ron became a property manager with his business partner and dear friend, Pam Willett.

For several years after his marriage ended, Ron lived in solitude with his hours filled with work, church and as much golf as he could get away with. Then one day he heard the name of an old friend mentioned and within hours, the solitude was at an end. Lana had been a neighbor and good friend in high school and she had moved back to Billings a few years earlier. It had been nearly 40 years since they’d seen each other but they met for lunch and found their friendship as alive as when they last met as teenagers. That friendship grew into a deep and lasting love, one that grew stronger with time and was an unbreakable bond. They chose not to marry but referred to each other as “my unmarried spouse” because they were deeply committed to each other but each liked the independence of living alone.

Ron enjoyed fishing and hunting, but at age 60 found his true calling: golf. It’s hard at that age to develop the skill to excel at the sport but, as with everything, it was the challenge and the fellowship his new hobby offered that drew him. After taking up golf, Ron claimed he wasn’t good for much else. This, to be sure, was not true. Ron was devoted to his faith, attending mass as often as possible. He

spent a great deal of time serving in prison ministry beginning in 1982. He spent an hour every Sunday facilitating a bible study at the Yellowstone County Detention Center (until Covid halted their access) and he participated in ministry in Deer Lodge at least one day every month. He and the others in this ministry estimated they traveled over 6,000 mile to Montana State Prison over the years. During those visits, Ron got to know many of the famous and infamous, and was always compassionate and looked for the good in everyone.” He was also a powerful supporter of the Cum Christo, Adoration Chapel and Jesus. He graduated to heaven … with honors.

“Ron’s love for people was unique in many ways. He never felt he had to impress anyone with who HE was, but instead, was sincerely interested in who THEY were. He liked to make people laugh and was always ready with a witty remark when an opportunity presented itself. He lived a life that reflected his deeply held values, which could be summed up as “live simply, love deeply, forgive always, pray daily, worship often, give generously and be thankful.” Ron did give generously of his time, his money and his heart.”

Ron is survived by his children: Rhona (Tim) Webb and Chad Ring. He was known as Grandpa to Lyndsay (Jeff) VanSteenburgh, Mike (Hannah) Glassing and Joe (Shyanne) Ryan and affectionately called Pepparoni (Papa Ronnie) by the Greats: Emma, Parker, Malia, Sawyer, Harrison and Leighton. His is also survived by his unmarried spouse, Lana Cummins and her family, Jim, Todd and Brenda, his former wife, Chere Ring, two sisters, Sharon (Bob) Babcock and Vicki (Denny, deceased) Wirkkala and many cousins and countless friends.

Leading the heavenly welcome line behind Jesus were his two treasured and very missed children Kim Ryan and Roby Ring, his beloved parents, Emma and Ed Ring, and many special family members and close friends. We imagine the tears flowing, joy pure and laughter jubilant.

There will be a memorial service/rosary on Wednesday night, May 7, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary (1001 Alderson, Billings). A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church, (717 18th St W, Billings) at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 8, 2025 followed by the “best after service lunch” by the ladies of the church. Both services will be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Gratitude in Action, 1234 Avenue C, Billings, MT 59102, Montana Rescue Mission, 2822 Minnesota Ave, Billings, MT 59101, St Vincent de Paul, 3005 1st Ave S, Billings, MT 59101 or charity of your choice.  https://www.giamt.org

Never wanting to be a burden, Ron and Lana wrote the part in parenthesis in 2016 and tucked it away for us to find after he passed. What a true gift for Chad and I. He truly was the very best.