Ron Lenci left this life and family he loved to soar forever free. He was a loyal and true friend to all and a never-tiring servant. He leaves us to carry on his zest for life to cherish each day available to us. He was born in 1942 and raised on his family’s farm in Thornton, CA. He graduated from Galt High School in 1959 and went to college at American River in Sacramento. He married his life partner Patricia in 1965. They soon started a family with Shawn born in 1966 and Ronda in 1969. Ron and Pat relocated from Woodbridge to Escalon in 1969 and moved into their forever home. Friends Roy, Bob and Mark helped create an addition on the house. Later, his nephew Cody helped him remodel the kitchen into the house we all enjoy today.

He decided early in fatherhood to be the best dad possible. He took his family camping in Pinecrest or Santa Cruz, often letting the kids bring their friends. Throughout his life, he gave everything to his family. Ron spent much of his retirement as a caregiver to his mother, Mildred, and his Uncle Dilio. He never complained and was happy to take care of them. Ron devoted 35 years to his company with a tireless work ethic and devotion. He worked for Carnation which later became Nestle. He started as a lift truck operator, working his way up to supervisor then assistant manager. Early in his career, he worked seasonally for Escalon Packers to give his wife and children the best life possible. Ron was a renaissance man, always reinventing himself. He and Shawn spent 45 years together flying model airplanes and traveling the US and Canada for competitions. He got into home computers in their infancy learning how to build PC systems from scratch. He became the IT department for friends and family. One of his last endeavors was 3D printing. He assembled and updated three high-end printers in his garage.

Ron was always looking forward, rarely back, to the next adventure, lunch, or vacation. He gave tirelessly of his time as a supporter of the Modesto R/C Club and Radio Control Flyers Unlimited clubs, serving in officer and event coordinator roles.

He is deeply loved and missed by his family including: his wife Pat and little dog Cinnamon; his son Shawn and his wife Jaime; his daughter Ronda and her husband Martin; Ron’s younger brother Stan Lenci and Sandy, and Pat’s brother Jim Borden and his wife Nancy. Unfortunately, we lost Jim a few weeks following Ron, adding to our family’s grief as well as time of fond remembrances.

Ron acted like a bonus dad to many of his kids’ friends, always treating them like his own. He was an honorary grandpa to Philip and Allison Tilbury and his niece and nephews’ families. He was loved by all. He rejoins those who proceeded him: his parents Mario and Mildred; his Uncle Dilio and Aunt Betty Lenci; his beloved in-laws Joseph and Elsie Cunha; and his brother-in-law Rick Borden. He is warmly welcomed by many friends and pet dogs and cats who went before. He received excellent care and kindness from his doctors, nurses and home health aides. He wanted to live to 90, and his care team helped him extend his years to the age of 82.

Legacy remembrances can be made to the Escalon Ambulance Fund. Blue skies, Dad. Fly free and watch over us. We’ll make you proud.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

March 12, 2025