Ronnie Ray Blackham was born November 19, 1945 in Mount Pleasant, UT to Ray D and Dorothy (Shepherd) Blackham. Growing up, Ronnie loved to play baseball. He was an amazing left-handed pitcher. He was scouted by the White Sox in high school. Ronnie earned his Eagle Scout award in his teen years. He graduated from North Sevier High School in 1964. He then attended Snow College in Ephraim, UT and went on to get his bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Computer Sciences from Utah State University in Logan, UT. On September 10, 1965 he married LaReta Seely from Redmond for time and all eternity in the Manti, UT Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple. After moving from UT to AZ in 1984, Ronnie worked for the City of Mesa Fire Department until his retirement in 2010. Although he would say he walked the dog and greased the pole, he worked with and managed the city’s communications system for the fire department. From 2014-2016 Ronnie and LaReta served a two-year full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake. They worked hard and loved the people they served with.
Ronnie had an infectious sense of humor and wit. Up until he passed, he kept his family laughing. He loved all things Disney, baseball, and family. Ronnie loved to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld as often as he could with LaReta and his family. One of his favorite things was to take LaReta and their grandchildren to Disneyland around the time they turned 10 years old. The grandkids loved this tradition and looked forward to their one on one time with Grandpa and Grandma at the “happiest place on earth”. He loved to travel and would often take trips to see the fall colors in the north eastern states. Throughout his life, Ronnie served and gave willingly and freely. All who met him, loved him and his kind heart. God and his family always came first; he was incredibly selfless. Ronnie passed away on January 28, 2023 in Tempe, AZ after a year of health issues. Ronnie is survived by his wife LaReta, their four children; Rhonda (Mark) Huish, Jeremy (Becky) Blackham, Kimberly (Eric) Pyles, and Shelly (Edward) Hiatt, sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was welcomed to the other side by his father, mother, baby brother and many loved ones. Although we miss him terribly, we are thankful his body is no longer struggling. We rejoice in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we will be with him again someday.
A viewing will be held at Bunker Mortuary University Chapel 3529 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213 February 10, 2023 7pm- 8pm. The funeral services will be held at the Mesa South Stake Center 2334 E Pueblo, Mesa, AZ 85204 on February 11, 2023 at 11am.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
We are so sorry for your loss & grateful for the gospel and the knowledge we will be with our loved ones again.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family! Love you Ron & LaReta! God bless you both! <3
I was so grateful ? to know him for a bit, while we were in Acacia Ward. I could always sense his tender kindness and loved his Humor.
So grateful his body is getting relief
Much Love ? to your family
Reed & Sara Jarman
Ron is such a loving man! So sorry for this loss to your family. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
We were so sad to hear of Ronnie’s passing.
It has been so good to follow him on Facebook and learn of his family and his love for them. To see memories made of their mission. Going to miss his posts.
First one of the class of 64 to pass in 2023.
May God bless Ronnie’s family.
Chad & SusAnn Beach
So sorry to hear of his passing. I enjoyed working with him at Mesa Fire and Medical from 2001 until he retired in 2010. Such a nice guy. God bless your family.
I always considered Ronnie to be my friend. So sorry for your loss. Condolences to you LaReta, and your family.
We grew up together so to here he has passed. We give to his wife and family our Condolences and Love.
I am sorry for your loss. Ron was a neighbor and friend. May God bless and keep you at this difficult time.
Ron was truly a prince of a man, was loved by our fire department members for his kind personality and helpful attitude!
I am saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. LaReta, you both were very kind people to me and I will never forget that. We would have conversations all of the time at work about how much he loved his family. He had a great sense of humor in saying the funniest things! I enjoyed that. In this time of grace, the Lord is watching over you and your family.
I had been thinking about your family for several years and wondered what your family was doing. Due to health issues I will be unable to attend the rejoicing of his accomplishments in your lives and others he left a seed of joy and laughter to. I appreciated your family and watching everyone grow and change and grow up and make their own families. I will miss Ron’s smile and wisdom and soft voice. I love you and your family.. may you influence those in Heaven Ron and say Hello to my family too. Kisses, Hugs and Blessing to all of you. Bless your families in all you do.
So sorry to hear about Ron. Oh Reta I am so sorry this is so hard for you I know, Doug passed away nearly one year ago on March 3rd last year. It has been so hard and I miss him so much, but I know he is in a better place. I just remember the fun times with you guys when you were here in Cedar City helping your parents. Think of you often and my prayers are with you dear lady love you dearly. Kaye Webb❤️??❤️
We were so fortunate to know Brother Blackham he was a wonderful man . Whenever we saw him he always had a smile on his face . LaReta we send are love to you and your family.
I had the pleasure to work with Ron and he was always so kind. Ron was always there to help and setup our equipment and was a great help in developing the software so our end users would have an easier time. I am so sorry for your loss, and I know you have many great memories.