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ANDERSON
INDEPENDENT - MAIL William Ronald "Ronnie" Deanhardt Littleton, NC. William "Ronnie" Ronald Deanhardt, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and neighbor, has left us to take his place with our Lord, alongside his parents George and Evelyn, Jo's parents, Hamp and Sarah Fleemand, and her brother, Murray. Ronnie passed away peacefully at 4:30 a.m., Monday, June 18, 2007, at UNC Hospital after a blessedly brief battle with cancer. Ronnie was born to George C. and Evelyn Deanhardt, the second of two children after his sister Jean. He grew up in Honea Path, S.C., playing football, baseball and basketball for the high school and building friendships that he would keep for his entire life. After high school, he joined the Air Force and served his country honaorably at home and abroad in the Phillipines and Japan. He met his wife, Jo, in 1964 and after two weeks they decided to marry. Six months later they were wed in Dunwoody, Ga. Ronnie and Jo live in the Atlanta area where their first son, William Clayton Deanhardt, was born in 1966. Two years later their second son, Clifton Ronald Deanhardt, was born and the family moved to Greeville, SC. Their third and final son, Cory Hampton Deanhardt, was born their in 1972. They lived in Greenville for almost 30 years, working and raising their children. Frequent camping trips to Lake Gaston led to a great love of the lake and the people they shared it with. They moved to the lake after retiring and have lived there ever since. He is survived by his wife Jo: His SIster Jean Corish of Smyrna, Ga.; three sons, Clay Deanhardt and his wife Sandra Milan, of Orinda, Calif., Cliff Deanhardt and his wife, Dee , of Cary, NC., and Cory Deanhardt and his wife, Robyn, of Mebane, NC.; six grandchildren, Darian, Ally, Eden, Xander, Isabella and Elijah; Toto, their much-loved canine companion; and a host of extended family and friends that serve as a testament to the full life he lived. Askew Funeral Services in Roanoke Rapids, NC is handling the arrangements, where a celebration of Ronnie's life will be held at 3:00pm., Friday, June 22, with the Rev. Luis Reinoso officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:15 p.m. until the time of the service. The celebration will continue that evening at the Deanhardts home in Littleton with a traditional pot-luck dinner like the many that Ronnie loved so much. In Lieu of flowers, Ronnie and his family ask that you donate to the UNC Hospital Transplant Fund, Room 5529, Old infirmary, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or the the American Heart Association, Eastern North Carolinga Regional offive, 3131 RDU Center Drive, Suite 100, Morrisville, NC.27560. Both groups helped give Ronnie the extra time he needed to see every one of his grandchildren and be a part of their lives. It would be a fitting tribute to his life if he could help give even to one more person the same opportunity. The flag at the funeral home flies at half staff in honor of Mr. Deanhardt's service to his country. Askew Funeral Home, 731 Roanoke Ave, Roanoke Rapids, NC |