Ron Laffoon

Ronald Neil Laffoon, 80, of Lancaster, CA, went to be with his Lord on January 22, 2021, after a battle with COVID-19 he contracted in the hospital while there for treatment of hepatitis-caused cirrhosis. He was born in South Bend, IN, on April 20, 1940, to Harry and Ada Laffoon and graduated from nearby Mishawaka High School in 1958. Ron was married to Rachel Luella (Coles) Laffoon in December 1961 and they celebrated 59 happy years of marriage one month before his passing. Ron held a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California; he often joked about cramming the 4-year Bachelor’s degree into 15 years. He served in the United States Air Force as a language specialist and afterward worked for government and industry in electronic intelligence and other defense engineering and management roles.

Ron enjoyed being stationed in southern Germany for several years on two occasions and his family has fond memories of traveling through much of Europe to visit the Alps, many castles, and historic cities. His lifelong interests included auto racing, old cars and car toys, and woodworking.

Ron was a strong evangelical Christian who provided his family and friends with a great example of faith, hope, and love. He also passed on his many skills and interests to his children and grandchildren. He served ably and faithfully for many years in church leadership roles at the Felton Evangelical Free Church(Felton, CA; now Felton Bible Church); Turlock EFC (Turlock, CA); and at Trinity Community Church (Lancaster, CA;formerly Lancaster EFC).

Ron was a gentle and caring family man and is lovingly remembered by his wife, Rachel; his children and their spouses, Rachel L. (and Jared) Nunes and Tim (and Michelle) Laffoon; nine grandchildren, Rebecca (Laffoon) Burt, Brittany (Laffoon) Lanni, Rachel V. Nunes, Ashley Laffoon, Katherine (Nunes) Newlon, Heather (Laffoon) Bearden, Jared M. Nunes, Laurie Laffoon, and Alicea Nunes; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail Gomez and Hunter Gomez.

While his family will miss him greatly and are saddened by his seemingly early departure for heaven, they celebrate his life and his love for them by living for the glory of God and the good of others, following Ron’s example.

An interment ceremony will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery on February 8, 2021, for family only.