Ronald Eugene Eason

Ronald Eugene Eason, 71, stepped into eternal rest during the early morning hours of September 11, 2021, after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, despite the emergency efforts by medics, doctors and nurses of Caromont Regional Hospital in Gastonia. Mr. Eason, was a Charlotte native, attending Harding High School in his youth, though he resided in Belmont, NC at the time of his death. Ron, as he was known by family and friends, spent most of his later years in retail management in various convenience store chains in and around Charlotte and Gastonia. He previously worked for many years at Kmart and McCrory Stores Distribution, also in managerial positions. Mr Eason’s health deteriorated over the last decade, as he suffered from COPD, requiring use of oxygen. However, as he had always been a hard worker his whole life, he continued working up until the day before his passing. Ron never met a stranger and always treated everyone with kindness and respect. A true southerner, Ron habitually could be overheard using words like “darling,” “yes sir” and “no sir,” and would go out of his way to help anyone he could. He had a very big heart for those around him which was demonstrated greatly by his actions. He was an avid and loyal fan of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Marilyn Monroe, the Dallas Cowboys, the UNC Tarheels, and NASCAR, and Ford Mustangs. During his teenage years, he and his best friend Ronnie Keziah and several others formed a cover band and named it The Wombats. While the band never gained them stardom, it did create a bond among them all that lasted through marriages, families, and loss of each member, with Ron being the last surviving member. Ron’s particular passion for the Ford Mustang was evident in not only the many mustangs he purchased and traded in on newer models of the same, but also in his being the founder of America’s Pony Ride. “The toy ride,” and he referred to it, was initially a partnership with Toys for Tots and the United States Marine Corps, showcasing a parade of mustangs through Gastonia and surrounding towns, driven by participants from all over the Charlotte metro region. Ron claimed “We all know Santa drives a mustang the other 364 days of the year.” His vision helped collect countless toys for boys and girls to have for Christmas morning. The event has grown over the years, being handed over to a local mustang club, and is still held every December. Ron is preceded in death by his biological father Charles Samuel Eason, mother and stepfather Mary “Margaret” King Eason Blue (Harvey Sam Blue) both formerly of Stallings, brother Samuel “Wayne” Eason formerly of Charlotte; and his first wife, love of his life and high school sweetheart, Linda Lee Osborne Eason Hall, formerly of Concord, NC. Mr. Eason is survived by his two children, daughter Sherry Eason Bitzel, and son Dean Eason-Williams (son in-law Jody), all of Charlotte; brother Charles Eason (Ann), of Waxhaw; nephews, Brian Eason (Diana) of Lincolnton, and Andy Eason (Heather) of Waxhaw; granddaughters Samantha Eason of Charlotte, and Crystal Bitzel of Matthews; Great-granddaughters Aubree Sapp of Matthews, and Chanelle Molyneaux of Charlotte. It was Ron’s desire to be cremated and have a celebration of his life and memory to be held with friends and family, with music selections of his own choosing. To assist them with this, Ron’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. The family will honor his memory with both a formal and informal celebration, beginning with the formal gathering to be held at Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC, on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm. The second, more informal gathering, will be planned for a later date which will be announced by the family on Ron’s memorialized Facebook page and by other available means. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation and gratitude to all who contributed and donated to help with Ron’s final expenses and arrangements. In lieu of flowers for the service, the family feels it more fitting to suggest donations be made to Toys for Tots in Ron’s memory, https://www.toysfortots.org/ .