Ron Freeman Bayless

Ron Freeman Bayless, 61, of Joseph and formerly of Frazier Park, Calif., died Jan. 28 at his home.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at Seventh-day Adventist Church in Enterprise.

Ron was born Nov. 1, 1948, to Bennie Freeman and Edyth Dennis Bayless at Arcadia, Calif. He grew up and lived in Burbank and attended high school there.

He joined the Army and served in Germany and Vietnam. In 1982, he met Bonnie Marler at work and they married Aug. 9, 1987, in San Pedro, Calif., on the Bucaneer Queen in a pirate-style wedding

The couple moved to Frazier Park, Calif., until 2004 when they finally retired to Joseph.

Ron had been scouted for pro baseball. He worked for a refrigeration and heating company, was a Teamster for Universal Studios working as a dispatcher at tours, then became a captain on movie productions. He was also a heavy equipment operator until 2002.

Ron loved his animals - Harry, Pee Wee, Amber Rose and the latest, Dylan Thorn and Heather Rose. He was a member of a duck club in Delano, Calif., known as Machinist and Farmers Duck Club.

Ron was baptized Jan. 23, 2010, at St. Mary's Medical Center after suffering from cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Joseph; brother, Bernie, and his wife, Sue; and one niece and two nephews.

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