Ronald D. Benedict, Sr.

Ronald Durand Benedict, Sr. was born on December 22, 1947, in Nashville, TN, to Stephen H. Benedict and Picola Knight Benedict. Ronald attended St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School for his early education before attending Pearl High. While attending Pearl High, he was an active civil rights activist, participating in marches and sit-ins, before graduating in 1966.

After graduation, Ronald attended Aquinas College, where he played on the basketball team before joining the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Air Force as a photographer from June 1966 until December 1969. After the Air Force, he started his journey as a photographer with the United Methodist Publishing House, where he was employed for over 40 years.

Ronald was a true athlete. Along with playing basketball, he was a tennis player and avid bowler. He was a member of the Hadley Park Tennis Club and a member of the Middle TN Area USBC. Throughout his life journey, he encountered people from all walks of life and formed many lifelong friendships. Ronald had two favorite teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen H. Benedict and Picola Knight Benedict, and his sister Brenda Lee. Ronald is survived by his brother Frank S. (Carole) Benedict, DeSoto, TX and brother in-law Perry Lee Miami, FL; his children Kenneth, Darren Sr.(LaKeisha), Ronald Jr, Rhea, Markus “Mookie”(Brianna); grandchildren Tiffany(Byron), Darren Jr, Corisha, Coreyon, Cecelia, Jarron, Ashton, Kalia, Kayla, Kennedy, Karter, Kynlee, Kaj; great-grandchildren Ava, Drea; nieces Karren (Manson), Cheryl (Freddy) of DeSoto, TX; Best friend Keitha Vincent and a host of other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to the American Cancer Society in the name of Ronald D. Benedict, Sr.