Ronny D. Gaston
January 17, 1944 ~ June 13, 2010
Major Ron Gaston went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 13, 2010. He faithfully served his country for 21 years in the United States Air Force, and upon his retirement owned and operated Hang-Ups, a custom picture framing and art gallery.
Ron was born January 17, 1944 in Akron, Ohio to Ernest and Eileen Gaston. He was raised in the greater Akron/Canton area, graduating from Manchester High School in 1962. After high school, Ron earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from the University of Akron in 1968, and received his commission to the Air Force through the university's ROTC program.
Ron entered undergraduate pilot training in 1968 at Laredo AFB, but was unable to complete his training due to medical reasons and was reassigned to Davis Monthan AFB, in Tucson, Arizona. While attending church services at the Tucson Baptist Temple, Ron met Brenda Clifton, whom he would marry years later in 1974.
Ron and Brenda moved many times with the Air Force over the next 11 years, and along the way had two children, Ondrea in 1977, and Brian in 1979. Ron finally settled with his family in San Antonio, Texas in 1985, and retired from the Air Force as a Major, after a decorated military career of 21 years in 1989.
Ron was known and liked by many in San Antonio. After his retirement from the military, he opened Hang-Ups, a custom picture framing and art gallery in northeast San Antonio. Ron took great pride in providing quality work at reasonable prices and many of his customers would soon become his friends. Ron also enjoyed scouring San Antonio garage sales for bargains, and made a habit of attending Bussey's Flea Market on the weekends. But Ron's favorite activities surrounded his children. Ron always made a priority of attending his daughter, Ondrea's many piano recitals and vocal performances while she attended MacArthur High School and later Stephen F. Austin University. He was also a fixture at his son Brian's high school basketball games at San Antonio Christian Schools, and enjoyed going to Spurs games with him over the years.
Ron and his family were longtime members of Wayside Chapel, and later Community Bible Church. In 2007, Ron was diagnosed with MDS, and later AML, an aggressive type of leukemia. Ron was committed to beating his disease, and with the help of the dedicated and talented staff at Wilford Hall Medical Center's Bone Marrow Unit fought courageously for as long as he could. While in the hospital, Ron made quick friends with many of the hospital staff, and enjoyed talking about his faith in Jesus Christ, and sharing the hope that he had with as many people as he could. God truly worked in Ron's life during his last days, and through the grace and peace granted to him, Ron was able to pass away without any fear, and with an excitement to begin his new life with his Creator in heaven.
At 11:30 PM, on June 13, 2010, Ron passed away quietly surrounded by his wife, Brenda; son, Brian, daughter-in-law, Tiffany; and sister-in-law, Sue McAlister. Ron's favorite Bible verse was Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Ron is survived by his wife of 36 years, Brenda; daughter and son-in law, Matt & Ondrea Schenck of Arlington, TX; son and daughter-in-law, Brian & Tiffany Gaston of Littleton, CO; grandsons Micah, Caleb, Isaac, & Ethan (due August 2010) Schenck; sister and brother-in-law Valerie and Al Houpt of Clinton, Akron, OH; and brother and sister-in-law Larry & Shirley Gaston of Wooster, OH.
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YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY.
You will be missed. I always enjoyed our conversations while waiting for a frame order that was usually last minute. You were always accommodating, and always a perfectionist. God bless you. Your friend and colleague, Pam
You will always be in my heart and greatly missed. Flea Market will not be the same without you. Rest in Peace
you’ll be truly missed by so many…but thanks for all the memories of funny times and stories on those boring days at the market.”LOVE FAITH & HOPE” the greatest of these is LOVE….good bye Ron :/
I am glad to have shared a small part of life with Ron here on earth and look forward to a reunion in heaven. God bless you in his family that he so dearly loved. Dean
Our sincere condolences to the family; you will be in our prayers. It was always our pleasure to provide care ‘over the phone’ here in the clinic.
Ron will be greatly missed by his many friends from the market and Hang-ups. Our thoughts and many prayers are with all of the family during this most difficult time. Cheri & Steve Green
We’ve told each other this many times, but we once again want to say that we love you. We really miss you, Ron.
I will never forget Mr. Gaston. We always enjoyed our chats and sharing our January birthdays. I liked hearing about his yard sale excursions. I’ll miss you, friend. Dr. Powers
So sorry to hear that Ron past away last Sunday. Valerie told me in church today. We had great times at Manchester High. He was a great person and friend. We would always try to get together in church or lunch when he came home. Our last talk about a month ago was great, and I knew he would be with the Lord upon death, even though I knew he was calling to say goodbye. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Ruth and Tom West
Ron was a great guy– always happy and fun to be around. Quite a teaser. He came from a good family and he was a wonderful reflection of that. His worries and stresses are now over, and he is home with the Lord whom he loved. Some day we will join him and what a day that will be! Our loss is heaven’s gain.
To Ron’s family: I was so sorry to hear of Ron’s death. He has been in my prayers ever since I heard that he was not well. I will keep you all in my prayers. Treasure Crispin Collins
To Ron’s Family, I remember Ron very fondly from high school. We used to ride the same school bus and sit together, talking, joking and laughing. I’m so sorry for your loss.
SAD TO HEAR OF YOUR PASSING, BUT I ENVY YOUR TIME ON EARTH. YOU WERE A GOOD FRIEND IN HIGH SCHOOL. KENNY GERSTENSLAGER
I am so very sorry for the passing of a long time school friend. I will remember him always as a kind, and caring person. May the Lord be with you. -Judy Garrison.
Dearest Brenda, Ondrea & Brian, It’s been almost 2 weeks since my big brother entered Heaven’s gates (I’m sure with shouts of joy!!) and I have delayed writing in his guest book because it’s so hard to believe he is not here any longer. I know it’s very selfish on our parts when a loved one dies and we grieve because of our loss, but I know in my heart it is truly Heaven’s gain. I quote from a song–There will be a day, with no more fears, no more pain and no more tears, He will wipe away the tears and we will see Jesus face to face. I thank God for His gift of eternal life in Heaven. My prayer is that you will feel God’s presence and peace. When I visited in May Ronny gave me a dolphin to add to my charm bracelet–when I see it it will remind me of him and I will treasure our times together. Love, Valerie
I felt so bad when I heard Ronny had passed away. We went to school together and we haden;t seen each other since we graduated in 1962, until he suprized me at Cope’s last fall. We had a nice visit and he got to talk with John S. too. I’ll never forget that day and was so glad I was working when he came in. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowfultime. love and prayers to all of Ronny’s family Nancy
Dear Mrs. Gaston, I have just now found this site and would like to offer my sincerest condolences to you and your family for the loss of Ron. my association and friendship with him goes back about 16 or so years when my secretary told about his frame shop. No one ever framed another picture for me. Through the years I have come by his shop to just to talk and see how things were going. He was the the kind of man who made me want to see him just because. Over the years I have bought so many interesting “finds” of his that I can scarcely look around my office or house without seeing something which caught my eye in Hangups. From an old Model T trunk basket in my office to a set of caribou antlers which reside outside the door to my backhouse at home – not to mention the countless paintings and prints. Each one makes me smile and helps me to remember how much I enjoyed being in his company. I called him several times to check in on him at Wilford Hall and was hoping that I could make the trip out to see him but regrettably that never came to pass. I was out of the state when he passed and learned about it from my church who had seen his obit, as I had placed him on our prayer list. I know that this Christmas Season must be a terribly difficult time for you and your family but I also wish you to know that you are still in my prayers. Being the true Christian that he was, I have no doubt that Ron’s close walk with God will be an inspiration for myself and many others for years to come. I hope that I may meet you someday. Until then If I may be of any help to you I am at your service. Kindest regards, Jay Buzzini 827-8785