Ronnie Joseph Hajek Obituary

Ronnie Joseph Hajek attended Argo High School in Summit, IL. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ronnie Joseph Hajek.

Graduation Year	Class of 1964
Date of Passing	Jul 03, 2014
About	Ronnie Joseph Hajek 07/21/1946 - 03/29/2014 As a young man, Ron earned the title of Marine Corporal, serving on active duty from March 4, 1966 through March 3, 1968. While in Viet Nam he was wounded. As he Put it, " 24 Jan 68, We road into a pile of shit. Got blown off the tank. Got wounded in left cheek, had a 3 hour hell fight killing 191 NVA. Got medivact...". (A few words taken from his Viet Nam Field notebook/journal which I found weeks after his death.) Ron told me that he was infantry and walked point. The unit was called, "Hell In A Helmet 2/9 Viet-Nam". Ron died from cancer after a 9 year battle. The hardest battle of his life. His cancer was brought on by this very moment in time while in Nam, Agent Orange. He never complained. He was proud to give his life for his country and claimed he would have done it all over again if necessary. My heart tells me that Ron died in service to his country. Not on that day in 1968, but nonetheless, in the line of duty. He received the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 star, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device, Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He, of course, was honorably discharged. Ron's final battle was with AML (leukemia). He was diagnosed in early February, 2014 and was called Home within two short months. This was the hardest journey we faced. The doctors did not promise a cure. Our time was limited. Ron survived almost 2 months from diagnosis. Ronnie fought Hodgkins Lymphoma 4 times since 2005. Ron also suffered a stroke, Hemoptysis, several forms of Neuropathy, a splenectomy, cancer in the tail of his pancreas (which required a massive surgery), struggled with a punctured colon, PTSD, was treated for bladder cancer 3 times since 1996 and was diagnosed with diabetes in 2013. He bravely faced and fought each disease with the greatest attitude I have ever witnessed, without complaint. God faithfully carried us through those 9 years and completely provided for our every need. We were a part of each other's lives for 56 years and were married over 42 years, with 3 wonderful daughters, and 10 terrific grandchildren. We are so thankful for our memories. One day we will be reunited again through Christ. Semper Fi! (Always Loyal)