Ronald "Ronnie" Joseph Duhamel, Sr

Ronald “Ronnie” Joseph Duhamel, Sr., 81, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016, at his home in Leesville. Ronnie was born September 20, 1934, in Bangor, Maine.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Mr. Duhamel grew up and attended a school in Providence and East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in June 1952 where he was a tail-gunner on B-52’s. During 1967, 1968, and 1969 he flew 198 missions over Vietnam. After serving his last 2 years as a recruiter in Knoxville, Tennessee, he retired as a Master Sergeant in July 1972. After retirement, he opened his own business as a heavy equipment operator, then worked as a metal plater, a chemical mixer, and a school custodian. He was also a long-time western square dancer.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Duhamel and mother, Lucille “Lucy” Ryan. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Peggy O. Duhamel of Leesville; sons, Gregory (Karen) Duhamel of Exeter, New Hampshire; Ronald J. “Joey” (Beverley) Duhamel, Jr of Baskin, Louisiana; Thomas (Joan) Duhamel of Saluda; daughters, Deborah (Bob) Krans of Houston, Texas; Tonya (Tom) Davis of Augusta, Georgia; Tracey Ferrell of Bastrop, Louisana; sister, Lea McElroy of Coventry, Rhode Island; brother, Kenneth Duhamel of Morehead City, North Carolina; eighteen grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday, April 25, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 26, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Hurt Cemetery, Saluda, with military honors. Active pallbearers will be Aaron Granade, Michael Duhamel, Justin Chapman, Marky Lyons, Aaron Davis, and Alexander Krans. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Chapman, Michaela Baughman, Brooke Smith, and the 98th Bomb Wing Unit of Shaw Air Force Base.

Special appreciation is given by the family to Friendly Caregivers, Brandy Jumper, Michaela Baughman, Brooke Smith, Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice.

Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church Youth, Gilbert or the Alzheimer’s Association.