Ronald Dennis Ertel

RONALD DENNIS ERTEL, 75, of Cumming, Ga. entered GOD'S Kingdom of Heaven on August 3, 2021 after a weeklong battle with Covid-19 Delta variant.

Ron was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He has been a member of the Alpharetta First United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Ga. for many years.

Ron was born to the late John Lester Ertel and Elsie Bernice Walker Ertel on December 20, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York.

His family moved to Mineola, N.Y. when he was 12 years old. He excelled in school and skipped a grade in elementary school. He attended high school at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury, N.Y. After graduation in 1963 he attended Nassau Community College while working various computer related jobs.

Ron was drafted into the Army in December, 1965. He was stationed in Vietnam in 1966, proudly serving the combat unit of "The Big Red One". Ron was honorably discharged from the service on December 6, 1967.

In 1970 he began his career in The Big Apple. IBM was his choice of employment with the computer industry starting its boom. Ron worked for IBM for 41 years, 15 years in N.Y. before relocating, with his family to Atlanta, Ga. He remained with IBM for another 26 years until his retirement in 2011.

Ron married the love of his life, Lorraine, on August 15, 1981. Lorraine had been widowed with two young sons. The word step-child was never used in his house and after a while, another son, Christopher was added to this family. Ron loved his 3 boys very much and assumed the father role easily.

When Ron retired in 2011 he realized there were many things he wanted to do. He joined a model train club and truly enjoyed the friendships that grew from that. He started volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, honing his wood working skills and making friends with some great people.

He and Lorraine loved to travel and were very fortunate to go to many far off places with very special friends.

Ron always loved motorcycles and rode one for a while in the early 2000's.

His love for tropical fish resulted in a beautiful salt water tank in his home and a volunteer position with the Georgia Aquarium.

Ron's favorite things always included spending quality time with family first and foremost. He spent many hours enjoying tinkering in his workshop, learning to play the piano and of course fun times with friends.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine; sister, Lois Hara Burdge and brother, John Ertel; his 3 sons, Christopher Ertel, James Darden (Susan), Michael Darden (Renee). He adored his 3 grandchildren, Michael Darden II (Missy), Benjamin Darden, and Timothy Darden; brothers-in-law Michael Tomas (Kathy), Ernie Tomas (Barbara Jean), Robert Tomas (Patty) as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow until 4:00 p.m. at ALPHARETTA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. A small funeral service will take place at GA. NATIONAL CEMETARY in Canton, Ga. on August 31, 2021 at 2:30.

Ron requested that all guests at the memorial service wear masks.

In lieu of flowers the family gratefully requests donations to be made to:

ALPHARETTA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - Special Needs Ministry.

GEORGIA AQUARIUM - in Ron's Name.

GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - Marcus Trauma Centers

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia in charge of arrangements.