Obituary of Ronald Wilson

Ronald Curtis Wilson, 61, Lamar, MO, passed away December 20, 2012, at his home after a long illness. He was born in Bakersfield, CA, to Calvin and Dortha Wilson, January 13, 1951. Ron was a graduate of The Northrup Institute of Technology, Inglewood, CA, and was involved in many areas of aviation. He also attended MIT. In his youth, Ron spent a year working on his family farms in Lamar and Joplin, MO. After retiring, Ron moved to the family farm in Lamar, where he resided the past 5 years. Ron was a patriotic employee at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake for more than 20 years. His earlier work included supporting of the QF-4 Targets Program and other conventional weapons programs. He was the Navy's Program Manager at NAWC-WD for Joint Air To Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). This is a major joint Air Force and Navy Missile Program. Ron was highly regarded in the technical community and was often affectionately referred to as "Uncle Ron". Ron was very successful in gaining the Navy's Weapon Systems Explosive Safety Board (WSESERB) approval for the Fleet Review, prior to his retirement. He was awarded the Susan DeMay award by the NATO Insensitive Munitions Center. Ron enjoyed his employment as a Reserve Police Officer for the Ridgecrest Police Department, and was awarded Officer of the Year. Ron is survived by his wife, Donna, of the home; mother Dortha, Bakersfield, CA; daughter, Kendra Mahan, and husband, Jay, their children Kiarra and Aidan, of Bakersfield, CA; sons Cameron Wilson, Lamar, MO, and Aaron Wilson of Stella, MO; step children, Marcus Marler, and wife Ryoko, their son Luke, of Santa Maria, CA; Marilyn Marler and husband, David Schmetterling, of Missoula, MT; Marty Marler, Lamar, MO, his children Marshall and Jenna. He was preceded in death by his father, Calvin Curtis Wilson.