Ron Whitacre

[David B.]

Ron Whitacre, NCRS #56, passed away earlier today. Ron was a gentleman and a true authority on the earliest Corvettes. He was my first good friend in the NCRS. In 1974, Ron worked on the Parts Counter at a local Chevy dealer somewhere in Ohio. Gary Mortimer used to buy Corvette parts at that dealer and they got talking about a new club that Gary was forming. Gary asked Ron to come to the meeting and join the club. Well, I guess that Ron missed that meeting. One month later Gary was back at the parts counter and again invited Ron to come to a meeting of this new club; Ron did attend that meeting. Ron always enjoyed telling me that if he had not skipped Gary's first invitation, his number would have been much lower than 56! Ron was one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on the 1953 Corvette; his knowledge will be missed, but more importantly, his friendship will be missed. Dave

[Dale M.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Dave, thanks for your posting. I put something on the Queen City WEB site today, but I did not have much details. Thanks, Dale

[Bruce B.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Ron was a quiet gentleman who was always helpful.
Rest In Peace.

[Dale M.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Here are the Funeral Services for Ron. Here was a member of the Queen City Chapter. Ron had been involved with NCRS since its first meeting with Gary Mortimer. HE will be missed.


WHITACRE, Ronnie Lee, 65, of Batesville, IN, passed away on January 10, 2014. Born on June 13, 1948, to Harry and Mary (neeuKorn) Whitacre in Morrow, OH. Ron retired after 33 years of working in the railroad industry. He was a longtime member of the NCRS and SACC. Ron was a judge for the Bloomington Gold Corvette Show for 30 years. His passions include restoring Corvettes, attending swap meets with his friends, working in the yard planting flowers, traveling and animals.


Ronnie is preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his wife, Michele (nee: Beckman) Whitacre, of Batesville, IN, his mother, Mary Whitacre, of Monroe, OH, one brother, David Whitacre (Trudy) of Summerfield, NC, one sister, Bonnie Mantle (Roy) of Leesburg, VA, one nephew, David Whitacre, (Mimi), one niece, Elizabeth Esser (Gilbert), two great nieces and two great nephews.



Visitation, Tuesday, January 14, 2014, from 10:00AM-11:00AM, with a service immediately following, all at Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon, OH. Interment will take place at Morrow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Warren County Humane Society, and the Ripley County Indiana Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hoskinsfh.com


Oswald Hoskins Funeral Home
329 East Mulberry Street
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Phone: (513) 932-7070

http://hoskinsfh.com/fh/obituaries/o...99&fh_id=13201

[Brian M.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Rest in Peace Ron, I only wish we had met.

[John D.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Yes Ron was a true gentleman. Soft spoken individual who first approached me at Corvette Carlisle in the mid 80's. I never met him before that time. He came up to me and asked if I would sell his rare 57 FI distributor for him. I remember it was an '889. He told me want he wanted and said to keep the rest for myself. Well I didn't keep a dime extra. We were friends for many years after that. Used to see him at the Corvette Expo also. Never an unkind word about anything or anyone.
RIP Ron.

[Howard B.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Ron will be missed in the hobby,always a gentle and fare person while on the show field.It was a pleasure to have known him for many years. God speed.

[Philip C.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Ron and I go back to days we let 6 cyl owners use starting fluid to start the motors, He said little but did much, great guy miss him already. Phil 8063

[Chuck G.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Very sad to learn of this. I judged 53-55's with Ron for many years at Bloomington Gold. I also judged with him at many NCRS events over the years. Chuck

[Mike M.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

i recall judging the 53-55 division with ron in the early 80's at cyprus gardens. he was very knowledgable, friendly and helpful. we all gotta go, but he went too soon. mike

[Steven B.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Hindsight, I should have stopped by and visited when I was in Batesville and Metamora for a quick trip visiting in-laws last summer. RIP.

[William C.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

RIP Ron, one of the Great NCRS friends that will always be missed...

[Ed H.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

I last saw Ron while he and I were judging at Bloomington last year, and at a regional or national. what a gentleman. I found that if I kept my mouth shut and listened I learned a lot.It is a shame we didn't interview Ron and Fergy to pick their brains. Between those two a lot ofknowledge has passed on. Just imagine them together, cold beer in one hand and a fat Cubancigar in the other. Ron you will be missed.

[Steven B.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

I last saw Ron while he and I were judging at Bloomington last year, and at a regional or national. what a gentleman. I found that if I kept my mouth shut and listened I learned a lot.It is a shame we didn't interview Ron and Fergy to pick their brains. Between those two a lot ofknowledge has passed on. Just imagine them together, cold beer in one hand and a fat Cubancigar in the other. Ron you will be missed.

Ed, very right about interviewing folks while we still have them. There are still hundreds of members with knowledge few others have. Hopefully we learn all we can form these folks on the TDB, Chapter, Regional, and National events. As we have learned, once the knowledge is gone it is gone. More important, once our friends and their stories and laughter are gone they are gone. Steve

[Martin M.]

Re: Ron Whitacre

Rip, Ron. Dave, sorry for your loss.

Marty