Service Saturday for Stuart Mack Ronald

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Ada, Oklahoma at 2:00pm for Stuart Mack Ronald, 84, beloved husband, father, Poppy and friend who passed away on February 4, 2021 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK from complications of COVID-19.

Stuart was born to Eileen (McMillian) and Gordon Ronald on August 11, 1936 in Ada, Oklahoma. He was a graduate of Coalgate High School, Class of 1954. He attended Eastern Oklahoma A&M College on a football scholarship. After earning his Associates Degree in Science, Stuart attended the University of Oklahoma completing is Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in 1959.

After graduation, he spent three years in Germany with the United States Army. Upon his return, Stuart followed in his father’s footsteps and began working for the Oklahoma State Highway Department, currently Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

On August 9, 1963, Stuart married his lifelong love, Lawanna Glenn Taylor, in the chapel of the First Baptist Church in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The early years of their marriage had them moving around the southeast part of the great state of Oklahoma before settling in Ada in 1971. They raised and loved their 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

In 1973, with ODOT, he worked as a Survey Party Chief during the construction of both Interstate 35 and Interstate 40. At the age of 31, Stuart was the first in a long line to complete the current “Engineer in Training” program. In 1973, as Assistant Division Engineer, Stuart left ODOT and began work for Cherokee Paving Company. He served as president of Cherokee Paving Company until 1988 when his career in the bridge industry began. Stuart worked for Muskogee Bridge Company from 1988- 2009 when the company was acquired by Manhattan Road and Bridge. Stuart continued to work for Manhattan Road and Bridge and retired in 2016. The engineer in him only allowed him to retire for about a month because solving problems and finding the answer was his passion. He continued as a consultant for Manhattan Road and Bridge up to his untimely passing.

Stuart’s passions extended beyond problem solving and finding answers. He and Lawanna were both known for their skills in the kitchen. The memories made around the table in the Ronald house are legendary. His saying “best you ever had” was always true.

Stuart was a member of the Association of General Contractors from 1973-2021 and served as President of the organization in 1981. He also served on the board and was the president of the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association. Stuart was also a member of the First United Methodist Church where he helped prepare meals over the years for the youth groups, church events, and fundraisers.

He was a family man, loved the Oklahoma Sooners, good western movies, and game shows. His ability to weave a story into historical fiction was undeniable. He enjoyed upholding traditions and sharing experiences from his childhood.

Stuart was preceded in death by his wife Lawanna Glenn Taylor Ronald; parents Eileen and Gordon Ronald; sister and brother-in-law Gormaleen and Bill Miller; his in-laws Audrey Willis Coco, and Tom and Glyn Earl Taylor; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Stuart’s spirit, wit and love will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him. He is loved and remembered by a large family including his children Janota Ronald of Ada, Oklahoma; Melita Ronald Edwards and husband Joe of Peoria, Arizona; Rob Ronald and wife Christy of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; and Shawna Ronald Montague and husband Jason of Naperville, Illinois

Stuart is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Kire Ann Stenson of Wilmington, North Carolina; Hana Stenson Bole and husband Andres of Annapolis, Maryland; Cali Stenson of Arlington, Massachusetts; James Stenson of Ada, Oklahoma; Morgon Edwards Binkley and husband Tyler of Chandler, Arizona; Brady Edwards of Peoria, Arizona; Corbin Tarrant and wife Danielle of Yukon, Oklahoma; Chandler Tarrant Fry and husband Chris of Edmond, Oklahoma; Adynn Ronald of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; Lily Montague of Naperville, Illinois; and Rhett Montague of Naperville, Illinois; 1 sibling: Connie Ronald Granger of Coalgate, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces & nephews.

First United Methodist Church of Ada, OK 129 W 14 ^th St, Ada, OK 74820