Ronald Lee Harrelson

Ronald Lee Harrelson peacefully passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, May 12, 2021
at the age of 72, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. His death was a
result of stroke complications.
Ronnie was born in Crestview, Florida on July 22, 1948, and he was a resident there at the
time of his passing. The self-proclaimed ‘Boggy Boy,’ was proud of his heritage in Northwest
Florida and spent most of his life either in Crestview or nearby Niceville. After graduating
from Niceville High School in 1967, Ronnie enlisted in the United States Navy where he was a
Sailor on the U.S.S Independence. Following his tour with the Navy, Ronnie joined the Civil
Service where he worked for 34 years as a fireman and crew chief for Eglin Air Force Base,
until his retirement in 2005.
Ronnie is survived by his mother, Vivian Harrelson of Crestview, FL; son Ronald Lee Harrelson
II, daughter-in-law, Helen Harrelson, and grandson Liam Harrelson of Shawnee, KS; son
Benjamin Harrelson, daughter-in-law Amanda Harrelson, and granddaughter Arabella
Harrelson of Richmond, TX; daughter Julie Steele, son-in-law John Steele, granddaughter
Cleopatra Murphy, granddaughter Ashanti Murphy, and great grandson Zachariah Ellis of
Rosenberg, TX; sister Connie Landreth and brother-in-law Larry Landreth of Choctaw Beach,
FL; nephew Jason Rawson of Hattiesburg, MS; niece Carrie Allen of Peachtree City, GA and
nephew Scott Landreth of Peachtree City, GA, along with their families; and his first wife,
Sharon Church of Niceville, FL.
He is predeceased by his wife Joyce Harrelson, father Angus Harrelson, sister Linda Rawson
and grandson Benjamin Harrelson.
Ronnie was a loving father, son, husband, uncle and friend. He was an outdoorsman and
cherished the memories that he made hunting, fishing, and floundering in our nearby rivers,
bays, and reservations. He was a man of faith, having been a longtime member of the First
Assembly of God Church of Niceville and later Lifepoint Church of Crestview. He idolized his
father and cherished his mother. Nothing made him prouder than bragging on his children,
except for maybe his grandchildren. He loved animals, mountains, country music, old
Westerns and really anything to do with old-west history. He was a kind and giving person
with a tender heart, who will be forever loved and missed by his family and friends. Following the Memorial Service, a short graveside service will take place at the New Holt Cemetery in Holt, Fl., where Ronnie will be laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Donations be made in Ronnie’s name to a
charity of your choice.