He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Perdue and Daniel Cessna, brother Jerry Clay Bristow, brother-in-law Tommy Rexroat, and his dear daughter Celia Ann Jones. Ronnie leaves behind his brother Carl McGee (and wife Sylvia), his brother Gary Wayne Cessna (and wife Donna), and his sister Judy Rexroat. Numerous nieces and nephews continue to add great joy to his family.
Ronnie is also survived by his beloved son Dr. Aaron Clay Cessna, son-in-law Jason Edward Jones, and two stepchildren Angie Kuykendall (and spouse James) and Bobby Cleveland (and wife Jennifer). Ronnie left imprints on the hearts of his grandchildren: Haley Thorne (and husband Rance), Colten Richardson (and wife Alyssa), Cami Richardson, Dustin Cleveland, Gracie Cleveland, Jordan Cleveland, and Christopher Stewart. His four great-grandchildren affectionately called him “Poppa.”
He graduated from Lancaster High School and went on to earn an Associate’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He started his dream job as a firefighter with the Dallas Fire Department (DFD) in 1972. After thirty-six years he retired from the DFD in 2008.
Ronnie’s life was committed to serving others. Volunteering countless hours over the past twenty years to his Hillcrest Baptist Church family, he devoted himself to many of their care initiatives including the community meals outreach and Wednesday night dinners, as well as their Samaritan’s Purse program for which he prepared thousands of gift boxes.
On many occasions Ronnie volunteered with the Texas Baptist Men, an organization which prepares meals and offers aid to those who have experienced disaster. Passionate about this work, he sometimes spent months away from home traveling the country to help those in need.
Services will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TX, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, (viewing at 9:30AM to 10:45AM, program at 11AM) with interment and reception to follow at Laurel Land Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Ronnie requested that memorial donations go to the Texas Baptist Men at www.Tbmtx.org or (214) 275-1100.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Cessna family.
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