Ronny Staley

Ronny Lloyd Staley was born June 6, 1943 in Wilbar, Wilkes County, North Carolina. He graduated from High Point High School in 1962 where he was a longtime Pemican yearbook photographer, Wake Forest College in 1966 with a BA in Religion, and the University of Wisconsin in 1985 with a master’s degree at The School for Bank Administration. After college, Ron entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant and attained the rank of Captain. He was on active duty (1967-1969) and in the U.S. Army Reserves (1970-1975) while living in Petersburg, VA, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD and Colonial Heights, VA. He was a member of The National Society of Pershing Rifles and among his various other awards and commendations was presented The Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service at Fort Lee, VA.

Ron married Sallie Bulla Staley, also from High Point, in 1966, and they were happily married for 57 years. After Ron’s military service, they moved to Detroit, MI where Ron joined the National Bank of Detroit. After ten years in Detroit, the family moved back to NC, specifically to North Wilkesboro, where he worked for Northwestern Bank. In 1986, the family moved to Concord where he joined First Union National Bank, now Wells Fargo. Ron was a 37-year member of Central United Methodist Church in Concord serving as an usher, member of the United Methodist Men, a teacher for the Christian Fellowship Class, a Finance, Council on Ministries and Stewardship Chair, and a delegate to the Western NC United Methodist Conference. He also served as a past board member and past multiyear Finance Chair of the Coltrane L.I.F.E. Center.

Ron was an active member of Lions International Association where he held multiple positions in the Concord Lions Club including club president and multi-year secretary. He also served the Lions of North Carolina as District Governor in 1996-97 and was President of the North Carolina Lions Foundation in 2006-07. He was a Key Member, a Jack Stickley Fellow, a Melvin Jones Fellow, a William L. Woolard Partner in Service recipient, a Dr. Lacy & Esther Presnell Charter VIP Ambassador recipient, a Ben Q Formen recipient, a Life Member of the North Carolina Lions Foundation and a member of the North Carolina Lions Hall of Fame.

Ron was involved in many hobbies and activities over the years and was well known amongst family and friends for his skills as an accomplished woodworker, building decks, treehouses, sandboxes, and various pieces of quality furniture. His family also took great joy at attempting to find a puzzle-game that Ron could not solve, though they were always unsuccessful. In retirement, Ron became an exceptional woodcarver, carving several award-winning birds which are proudly displayed by his family.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Agnes S. Moore, and aunts and uncles Wint & Sadie Snyder of Wilbar, NC; Blaine & Marguerite Staley of Tampa, FL; Oscar & Harriett Staley of High Point, NC; John & O’lena Gulledge of Archdale, NC; and cousin Ray Snyder of Wilbar. Besides his wife, survivors include daughter Kathy Staley and grandson Blaine Evey-Staley of Wake Forest, NC; son Brad Staley & daughter-in-law Valerie Hague and grandsons Ethan Staley, Grayson Staley and Barrett Staley of Apex, NC. Other survivors are uncle and aunt Ed & Anne Pedersen of High Point; and cousins Judy Staley of Tampa, FL; Nora Vestal, Jimmy Staley, Kenneth Gulledge, Michael Gulledge and Linda Sue Varner of High Point.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Central United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Tom Latimer. The family will greet friends following the service in the Coltrane Memorial Room.

The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@CentralUMCConcord

__________

Memorials may be made to:
Central UMC, 30 Union Street N, Concord NC 28025
The NC Lions Foundation, PO Box 39, Sherrills Ford NC 28673
Hospice of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith St. Suite 203, Davidson NC 28038