Ronnie Lawrence Ressel, 1946–2024
Ronnie Lawrence Ressel, 77, of Benjamin, Texas, passed from this life at South Texas Health System Heart in McAllen, Texas, on Jan. 27, 2024.
He was born to Theodore and Ruth Castleman Ressel on Dec. 16, 1946, in Knox County, Texas. He attended Benjamin schools through his junior year, then graduated from Crowell High School in 1965. He moved with his family to Wellington, Texas, where he met his future wife, LaJuanda Kay Peters. He spent a semester at Clarendon College, then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before the couple married on June 19, 1966.
Proud to be a Marine, Ronnie served as part of the security team at the Million Man March in Washington D.C. under President Lyndon Johnson. He rotated as a guard for the Iwo Jima Memorial, and he concluded his Marine career in Vietnam.
In 1969, Ronnie started a career with the Texas Department of Transportation in Dickens, Texas, where he served as road maintenance supervisor until he retired.
An excellent carpenter, Ronnie learned woodworking after building their home in Dickens. For years, Ronnie volunteered as the principal song leader at the Dickens and Spur Church of Christ. He loved to play his trumpet and sing, and continued to perform throughout his life.
Ronnie and LaJuanda became snowbirds, spending winters in Alamo, Texas, and performing at music jams several times a week.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Vollie and Margaret Ressel; his sister, Joetta and WT Cartwright; and brothers-in-law, Jack New and Randy Motsenbocker.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, LaJuanda, of Alamo; a sister, Katy New, of Round Rock, Texas; in-laws Fred Peters, of McAllen, Debbie and David Kendall, of Naples, Fla., and Beth Motsenbocker and Jo-Anne and Dennis Kershner, both of Wellington, Texas; his nephews, Terry and Tracy Cartwright and Shon Kendall; his nieces, Melanie Parsons, Nancy Jahns, Linda Corporon, Molly Mast, Katelyn New, Sheena Fouts, Andrea Hudson, LaRandaandSarahMotsenbockerandMollyOcampo;and six great-nieces, eight great-nephews and six great-greatnieces and nephews.
Interment will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Rio Grande Valley State Cemetery in Mission, Texas, by Kriedler Funeral Home.
Ronnie was an organ donor, and the family has request donations in his memory can be made to Help Hope Live on behalf of Sarah Motsenbocker at helphopelive.org/ campaign/ 2665or donatelifetexas.org.
