Ronnie Nelson

Ronnie Lance Nelson was born in Dallas, TX on August 6, 1938 to Jasper Newton Nelson and Truly May Bronson Nelson. He grew up in the Dallas area and was a brick layer by trade. In 2022 he moved to Denton, TX where he called home. Ronnie married once to Gloria Smart, who he affectionally named “Runt” (aka Runtsey). But found love again in 2023 when he was introduced by a mutual friend, Virginia Morrow, to Sheila Baumann. Sheila and Ronnie spent almost all their time together watching old western movies, eating their meals together and sharing their life stories. Ronnie was witty, kind, caring and always a gentleman. Prior to finding Sheila, he was known around the Vintage, where they both lived as “The Stud Muffin”.

Ronnie enjoyed his peaceful time looking out the window and watching the cars zip by, feeding the squirrels and birds outside the Vintage, and on the porch swing at his friend Linda’s enjoying a root beer float and ‘supervising’ her as she worked in the yard. Ronnie loved children, especially Harper and Slade, dogs, flowers and our Veterans. His favorite sayings were, “Bless his heart”, “It’s just another bump in the road”, and “They just can’t help it”. His humor kept everyone laughing and you never knew if he was serious or just pulling your leg. Ronnie was a simple man, deeply private and avoided the lime light. However, on July 2, 2025, all eyes were on Ronnie as he accepted the Lord as his Savior in a small, intimate baptism at his bedside. For Ronnie, it was his chance to join his beloved Mother in heaven.

Ronnie had a large distant family but was closest to his nephews, Jerry Ferguson and wife Diane, Lance Wood, and niece Barbara Walker-Davis. But Ronnie also considered his dear friends at the Vintage his family, especially Sheila Baumann, his constant companion for 18 months, Virginia Morrow (the matchmaker), Ina Cole and his dearest friend of 25 years, Linda Hastings and her children, Ashley Farris and Gina Bradley and husband, Kenneth, her grandchildren, Bradie Howell, Anthony and William Bradley and Colton Farris. Additionally, his dear friend, Amy Pitman and her granddaughter, Harper Binge. Plus, lifelong friends, Larry Potts and wife Vici, Gary Henry and Peg, and James Durham.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Jasper and Truly May Nelson, brothers, Lester and Junior and sisters Bernice and Peggy Jo.

Ronnie requested his cremains be spread over the field behind Linda’s house because, as he put it, “I was always the happiest when I sat on your patio swing and watched the birds and the wild flowers”.

A small memorial service with refreshments will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 24th at Linda’s home - 227 King George Road, Ponder, TX