Ronald R. Ransom (Ronnie), Obituary (1943 - 2023)

Born Nov 20, 1943, Ronald R. Ransom (Ronnie), attended Zion-benton High School in Zion, IL. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ronald R. Ransom (ronnie),.

Graduation Year	Class of 1962
Date of Birth	Nov 20, 1943
Date of Passing	Mar 12, 2023
About	He was also a Staff member of Zion Benton Township High School.. He served as the ZBTHS Resource Officer, responsible for safety and crime prevention.
Events	Ronald R. Ransom (Ronnie), of Zion, IL was born November 20, 1943, in Waukegan, IL to the late Cecil and Myrtle Ransom. He was one of seven children. Ronnie accepted Christ into his life at an early age and was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Zion, IL, under the leadership of Pastor B.J. Gaston and sang in the choir for several years. He embraced God’s comfort and entered eternal rest on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Ronnie graduated from Zion Benton High School in Zion, IL in 1962, where he was on the basketball and track teams, as well as Quarterback on the football team. Ronnie met his wife, Sharon in High School and became high school sweethearts in 1962. He and Sharon were married on May 16, 1964, and from that union, two daughters, Ronda and Dawn were born. Ronnie was drafted into the United States Army in October 1965, where he worked as a Field Artillery Crowman and was honorably discharged in September 1967. Ronnie completed basic police training at Northern Illinois University and joined the Zion Police Department in 1969. He was the first full-time African American Police Officer to serve in Zion from 1969 to 1993. Throughout his career he served as a detective, on the SWAT team and many other positions. He received an associate degree in Police Administration from the College of Lake County in 1973. Ronnie was honored for his leadership and support during the Navy Investigative Service Operation Wrist Lock, in 1991. During his career as a Police Officer, he also served as a member of the Zion Board of Education for 11 years at Zion Benton Township High School, where he received many accolades for his dedicated service. Ronnie remained involved with the city of Zion and continued as an influential member of the community. He played men’s softball on various teams, including Beauchamp’s and Dill Bro’s for over ten years. Ronnie retired as Sergeant from the Zion Police Department in 1993. Ronnie then went on to serve as Lead Park Police Officer Supervisor of the Morton Grove Park District in Morton Grove, IL from 1996 to 1997. He then went on to serve as the Zion Benton Township High School Resource Officer, responsible for safety and crime prevention. Ronnie was very physically active, and he continued to play full court basketball and golf well into his seventies. Ronnie received an African American Achievement for Excellence Award for his outstanding contribution to the African American students in our community in 2004. Ronnie was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend who loved helping people from all walks of life. He and Sharon relocated to Las Vegas, NV in 2005, where he was a member of the Second Wind singing group for over 30 years. They performed and entertained in Illinois, Arizona and Nevada. Ronnie leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife of almost 59 years, Sharon Ransom; three daughters, Ronda Ransom of Las Vegas, NV; Dawn Johnson of Charlotte, NC; and Felicia Young of Gurnee, IL; one brother, Victor (Cynthia) Ransom of Beach Park, IL; granddaughter, Devin Johnson and his forever son-in-law, Dennis Johnson, both of Charlotte, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many others he loved and who loved him. He was preceded in death by grandmothers, Charlotte Ransom and Rose Thompson; his parents, Cecil and Myrtle Ransom; one sister, Paula Ransom, and four brothers, Cecil Ransom, Jr, Gerald Ransom, Michael Ransom, and Dennis Ransom.