Ronald Wayne DuBose, devoted husband, loving father and friend to all who knew him, joined his momma, daddy (the late Madge and John P. DuBose) and Jesus unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, after a brief illness.
Ronald was born Dec. 5, 1948, in Jacksonville, Florida. As native and lifelong resident of St. Marys, Ronald was the consummate waterman who knew the rivers and waterways in the area like the back of his hand. An avid fisherman and shrimper, he was at his best and happiest out on his boat.
Ronald graduated from his beloved University of Georgia in 1972 and was a diehard “Dawg.” Never a fair-weather fan, he had a lucky hat and shirt and was convinced his actions while watching the games directly reflected in the team’s performance. No doubt he’ll be watching them play in (he wouldn’t want us to jinx them by saying win) the NCAA championship this year from a front-row seat in Heaven.
Ronald started his career path as a process control supervisor at Union Carbide and met there the love of his life and wife of 38 years, Patricia (Trish) Chapman DuBose. They met in January and married in November that same year, when you know you just know. Ronald also worked for Gilman Paper Company as an environmental specialist and finished his career as an air quality facilities manager with NAVFAC Public Works at Kings Bay Submarine Base.
Ronald truly was a self-reliant man; there was nothing he couldn’t do or fix. On any given day he could be found out in his garage or on the boat tinkering away with some do-it-yourself project. The remarkable thing about Ron and these many projects is that he usually had some apt pupil with him as he shared and imparted his knowledge of all things fixable to them. Many of us know how to do a myriad of things today because Ronald taught us or showed us how.
Ronald was a devout Christian and a family man. He loved the Lord and his family fiercely. He was active in the church all his life and served in many ways. He could often be seen holding umbrellas for the elderly ladies, walking them into the building on rainy Sundays as well as holding babies and playing with the little ones in the church nursery. He recently found a calling in the church food pantry, he considered it his mission and a labor of love.
Ronald loved Trish and Sarah and his sister and brothers, and they loved him. He also loved his dachshunds, Copper as well as Barron and Lilly, who predeceased him and are no doubt currently following him all around Heaven. He will be missed beyond measure, but he will always be with us in our hearts. He touched many, many lives and made a difference in those lives and in the world.
Ronald is survived by his loving wife Trish, his best friend and daughter Sarah Ann, sister Yvonne Hawkins (Jerry), brothers John E. (Diane) and Charles (Peggy) Sister-in-Law, Susan Gallagher (Chris). Nieces and nephews, Chad DuBose, Dana Bellisle (Derrick), Stephanie DuBose-Kral (Matt), Joshua DuBose, Megan McWilliams (Will), Molly Gallagher, Morgan Gallagher, and numerous aunts, cousins, great nephews and niece, and a host of friends.
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 at Woodbine United Methodist Church with pastor Jan Connor presiding.
Donations in Ronald’s name may be made to the Southeast Georgia Bulldog Club Scholarship fund, Attn: Brent Blount, 2511 Isles of St. Marys Way, St. Marys, GA 31558 or the Woodbine United Methodist Church Food Pantry.