Ronald R. Ingram

Ronald Raymond Ingram, age 93, passed away on September 13, 2022 after a brief illness. Born on January 8, 1929, Ron lived a full and productive life that was dedicated to his family, friends, country and God.

Ron spent his childhood in the greater Detroit area but learned the lessons of hard work by spending his summers on his family’s farm in upstate New York.

After graduating from U of D High School in 1947, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1948 through 1952. A member of Patrol Squadron VP731, Ron flew as a flight engineer on PBY and PBM seaplanes and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He survived two separate plane crashes, one in the Detroit River while stationed in Grosse Ile and one in Manila Bay in the Philippines. As a result of that crash, all his flight records were lost. Decades later, however, Ron’s service was recognized, and he finally received the Navy Air Medal that completed his ribbon rack. Receiving this medal was one of his proudest moments.

Ron carried on his family tradition as a tool and die maker, ultimately branching off from his family business and opening Ron Ingram Slotting, which he operated until the early 1990’s. The business and his legacy continue on still today.

Ron embarked on many business ventures with his brothers over the years. This included him spending several years mining quartz in Canada, often bringing his oldest children along on his business trips that doubled as family vacations. This stone business paved the way to his interest in the water, as he tagged along on numerous tugboat and barge trips to bring the stone back to Detroit.

Ron’s love of the water reigned supreme. He joined the Merchant Marine after exiting the Navy. While on a tugboat in Lake Erie, he also survived a sinking. He worked his way up in the wheelhouse and captained three separate ships for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the R/V Rachel Carson, the R/V Roger Simons and the R/V Lake Guardian. During his 19 years as captain, he also proudly served as a member of the International ShipMasters’ Association Detroit Lodge #7. He was Detroit Lodge president in 1979, and was honored to be named Grand Lodge President in 1991, the 100th Anniversary of the ISMA. He retired from sailing in 1996.

His retirement brought new experiences and new interests. He enjoyed relaying the stories of children on the playground and in the lunchroom at Marshall Elementary School in Livonia. He loved children and volunteered in Livonia Public Schools for several years, earning him a Golden Apple Award for his contributions. He was also an active member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for Catholic Vantage Financial Credit Union.

But more than anything, watching his children and grandchildren grow and succeed made him most proud and gave him the greatest joys. He watched his children succeed in their careers, welcomed their spouses as his own children, and enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved reminiscing with them and was the first in line to witness one of their events. He always greeted them afterwards with praise and congratulations.

His memory will forever live on in the handcrafted wood-working projects that he gave his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From desk sets to step stools to zoos for stuffed animals, the engraved “Made with love by Grandpa Ingram” and date will forever remind the youngest of his survivors of his love for them.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Mary Ann (nee Jagenow), children Martin (Cathy) Ingram, Rhonda (Charles) Main, Alan (Sheena) Ingram, Mark (Jessica Salyers) Ingram; grandchildren Keith (Wendy) Stickley, Neal (Jamica) Ingram, Kristin (Shane) Bodnovits, Katelyn Salyers, Benjamin Salyers, Collette Ingram, River Ingram, Chloe Ingram, Brantley Ingram and Daniel Ingram, great-grandchildren Kaiya Ingram, Theron Ingram, Tessa Bodnovits, Dominic Bodnovits and Lillian Stickley, numerous nieces and nephews and former wife Shirley Ingram (nee Carlson).

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, William and Irene (LeBlanc), his brothers Norman Ingram and Arlen Ingram, and his beloved son Blane Ingram.

The family will welcome visitors at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI on Thursday, September 15 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. A Mass of Catholic burial will be held on Friday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m at St. Colette Catholic Church. A graveside service will follow at Holy Sepluchre Cemetery in Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Smile Train at donate.smiletrain.org or The Charles A. Main Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program, c/o The Beaumont Foundation, 26901 Beaumont Blvd., Southfield, MI 48033.