Ronald J. Hankamer

Ronnie was born on the 18th of March 1945, in Houston. He attended The Kinkaid School and graduated from Lamar Sr. High school in June 1963. He received a BBA in Marketing at the University of Texas – Austin in 1967, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

In September 1967, Ronnie joined the Air Force Reserve and spent four and a half months on active duty with the 446th TAC, Ellington AFB, then was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant after six years of service.

He was employed by Continental Oil Company as a District Sales Representative based in Austin, TX for four years then joined Southwest Inns, Ltd in October 1972 where he managed two Holiday Inn hotels before being promoted to Partner. He had operations responsibility over nine Holiday Inns in Texas.

In April 1986, after operating a Marble Slab Creamery franchise for a year and a half, he purchased Marble Slab Creamery, Inc., and became the franchisor of the 12-store ice cream concept. Pleased that sons Ron and Richie elected to join Marble Slab after graduating from college, the three were successful in expanding the chain to over 500 franchises, before selling the company in February 2007.

Ronnie was predeceased by his parents, Camille and Raymond Hankamer and grandparents Linda and Earl Hankamer of Houston, TX and Beulah and J.R. Ostrom of Kilgore, TX.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Taylor Hankamer, his oldest son, Ron, Jr., his wife Kim and their children Lauren, Garrett, and Kate; and son Richie, his wife Anna Claire and their children Caroline and Rob. He is also survived by Vicki Patterson who was his first wife and mother to Ron and Richie.

Also surviving Ronnie are his two brothers, Ray, Jr. and Larry, along with many extended family members.

Ronnie most loved spending time with his wife, two sons and their families. Many special memories were made on the waters of Lake Austin, in the mountains of Beaver Creek, and on our special family trip to Lucca, Italy. He spent countless hours watching the grandchildren play sports and participate in various activities. Ronnie also looked forward to meeting up with his Porsche buddies on a weekly basis, where they talked “shop” and shared life experiences.

Ronnie was very active throughout his life, as he enjoyed snow skiing in Vail, fly fishing on the streams of Colorado, playing tennis at the University Club, and plowing fields and feeding cattle at his ranch near La Grange, TX. He also had a creative side, with a natural ability to draw and paint, in addition to being a talented photographer. But one of Ronnie’s most unique gifts was his ability to build, repair, or renovate just about anything he put his hands on, including plumbing and electrical, fence building, bricklaying, and all facets of home remodeling.

A memorial service for Ronald will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Second Baptist Church, Woodway Campus, 6400 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77057.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Ronnie’s honor to the charity of one’s choice.