Leroy Ronald "Ron" Portser Jr.

On Sunday morning Ron left this world and joined Natalie, his wife, in Heaven.

Ron was born on February 3, 1935 and grew up in Redford with his parents and sister Joanne. There he raised and rode horses and played on the high school football and baseball teams. After high school, Dad went to Western Michigan where he roomed with a certain Byron McDonald. The two of them ended up dating and then marrying twins from Grand Rapids, Natalie and Nancy. On September 5th, 1959, over Labor Day weekend Dad and Mom were married.

After graduation Ron and Natalie moved to Flint where Dad went to work at Buick Motor as a newly minted engineer. It appeared that work and starting a family were not enough for Ron as he started the MBA night program at the University of Michigan. In 1986 Ron transferred to the Warren Tech Center and joined GM’s quality team. In this position Ron traveled throughout America, Europe and Latin and South America improving GM’s assembly operations.

Outside of work Ron was also extremely busy. He and Mom bowled in their early years and took-up golf. Ron coached Ron and Scott’s Little League and hockey teams took Jeff to tennis lessons, and Bob to soccer. After his brief coaching career, Dad became a hockey referee. Ron enjoyed hunting in the U.P. with Uncle Bill and Scott and walking his dogs. In the 1970s Ron joined the tennis craze and took an occasional ski trip. In retirement he re-picked up tennis and played in the senior USTA leagues and served on the WMU Alumni board. Ron also enjoyed attending the Meadowbrook Car Show, Michigan vs. WMU football games, the Boys National Tennis Tournament in Kalamazoo, the Great Lake Hockey Tournament at the Joe, and going to the Ann Arbor Art Fair with Mom.

Ron and Natalie enjoyed going Up North, which at first meant The Narrows on Glen Lakes and later a beach house at Northport. They enjoyed walking the beaches and dunes, boating and fishing, the Cherry Festival, and the fall colors. They also enjoyed spending time with their good friends & neighbors Paul & Yvonne, and Ann & Rick.

He is survived by his sons, Ron, Scott, Jeff, and Bob (Kim), grandson Ben, and sister Joanne (Steve).

Thank you to the caregivers who made the last three years Ron’s life joyful and fun - especially to Ashley and Cricket who loved Dad as family and cared for him deeply – Thank You.

God’s Speed – Dad – we miss you.

A memorial gathering for Ron will be held Friday, December 2, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pixleyfhauburnhills.com for the Portser family.