Ronald William Rabon

Ronald (Ronnie) Rabon, 44, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2018, in Jacksonville, FL, after a year-long battle with cancer. A Jacksonville native, Ronnie was born on January 18, 1973, and he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School. After graduating from Jacksonville University, Ronnie had a brief career in corporate business before deciding to pursue his desire of becoming a firefighter. He served his entire sixteen-year career with Jacksonville Beach Fire-Rescue and rose from firefighter to the rank of captain. Ronnie exemplified all the noble qualities that one expects from a civil servant: compassion, dedication, discipline, integrity, responsibility, and leadership.

His greatest passion, however, was his family. Ronnie enjoyed spending his off-duty time with his wife Ashley and their three children Samuel (13), Julia (12), and Olivia (9). He parented by example and instilled in his children an everlasting respect for their Catholic faith and for the beauty of nature. Those who knew and loved him are deeply saddened that his time was cut short, but he leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the hearts of his children and in those lives he touched as a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a co-worker, and a hero.

Ronnie is survived by his wife Ashley and his children Samuel, Julia, and Olivia; parents Ron and Ann; sisters Kelly Seaton (Terry), Rhonda Rose (Tom), Michelle Kunovich (Michael), and Susan McLeod; and nieces and nephews Ashley, Bryan, Andrew, Chris, Katie, AnnaMarie, Mikey, and Max.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, January 19th in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin with a Memorial Celebration at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10am on Saturday, January 20th in San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church 1718 State Road 13 North St Johns, FL 32259. Private Interment will follow.