Ronald Stephen Marich

Ronald Stephen Marich, long-time Grand Prairie and Arlington, Texas, resident, went to be with the Lord on the 26th of February at the age of 89, surrounded by family who loved him dearly.

Ron was born on May 27, 1933, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and was the only child of Stephen Marich and Helen Mae Unseth Marich. He left Wisconsin at the age of 19 when he joined the US Air Force. While stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas, he met a Baptist preacher’s daughter, Holland Delene Boydstun, an Oklahoma girl there visiting a friend. They married August 28, 1954.

The newlyweds moved to California when Ron was stationed at Norton Air Force base. Choosing not to reenlist, they moved for a short time to Wisconsin and then Oklahoma. Ultimately, they moved to Texas where he began the career he loved when he joined the Texas Air National Guard working as an aircraft mechanic at Hensley Field in Dallas. Though not a native, Ron loved Texas and saw himself as a Texan by choice. While in the Guard, Ron got to pursue his love of flying and travel. He relished being a boom operator on the KC-97, and treasured the friendships he made, including his best and forever friend, Bascom Warden, who became like the brother he never had.

Ron was hard-working, creative, talkative and thoughtful. He was a thinker, a fixer, a problem-solver and a loyal friend. He was both witty and funny. He was musically inclined and taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica. He especially loved helping grandchildren who showed an interest in music by providing them instruments. He was always a provider. He even held many post-retirement jobs not only to continue to support his family but also to help extended family and friends as needed. Perhaps his favorite “retirement” job was with History Maker Homes. He loved driving from town to town, picking up or dropping off paperwork and always taking a bag of candy with him to share with those he met. Eventually, he started watering lawns for History Maker and with that he once again got to work with Bascom. Ron’s Christian foundation began when he was a child and raised in the Lutheran faith. After meeting Holland and attending church with her, he made a profession of faith and began his personal relationship with the Lord. When he and his family moved to Arlington, they joined Matthew Road Baptist Church. It was there that he met another person who became a second-best friend, music director Jeff Morris. Jeff, Bascom, and Ron met at church on Friday afternoons and played all types of music together. They sometimes played for the church and they visited nursing homes and held services for the residents. Ron was thrilled with being able to serve the Lord this way.

Ron was father to six daughters and a much-loved father figure to many others. He made it known that all family members were always welcome to come home.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, his brothers-in-law Von Weaver and Tommy Higle, son-in-law Tommy Sneed, and dear friend Bascom Warden.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 68 years, Holland, his daughters Teri Marich of Mansfield, Traci Sneed of Grand Prairie, Toni Bush of Irving, Tiffani Marich of Arlington, Ronni Marich of Arlington, and Rikki Wade and husband Sean of Arlington. Other survivors include his sisters-in-law Houstine Weaver of Caddo, Oklahoma, and Virginia Higle of Marietta, Oklahoma,and brother-in-law George Boydstun and wife Libby, of Columbia, South Carolina. He is also survived by his grandchildren Benjamin Louis of Mansfield, Jacob Louis of Irving,
Jeremiah Louis and wife Lupe of San Antonio, Zachary Sneed and wife Tenell Zahodnik of Abilene, Casey Sneed and wife Sarah of Grand Prairie, Lindy Marich of Mansfield, and Samuel Marich-Edwan of Arlington and great-grandchildren Abigail Marich, Isaiah Marich, Kennedy Wade, Alexander Wade, Scarlett Wade, Ayden Torres, Hunter Torres, Lakota Marich-Melendez, Tobias Marich, Kaine Louis, Anabella Louis, Emmalyn Louis, Penelope Louis, Olivia Louis and Matilda Sneed.

In addition, he leaves behind special friends Jeff Morris, Bill Ussery and many friends from TANG and Hensley Field.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Matthew Road Baptist Church missions.