   To Sharon, Jennifer, and Andrea. I only knew Ron through racing for the last ten years but he was the kind of guy you looked forward to seeing at the track. Even in the last few years when he didn't race much on the grass, he still came out to support us and those were some of the best times I had with him.
   I also would like to comment on the fact that after all of the driving I  did for him I never got fired or even yelled at. I don't know what the other guys are complaining about.
    We will always love you Ron.

My deepest sympathy to the McBurney family.  My husband, Tom Slusher, and I knew Ron from our days at Henry Ford High School.  We became reacquainted several years later while racing snowmobiles.  Ron was still the friendly, upstanding guy we remebered.  It's so sad when someone leaves us at such a young age.  Tom passed away in Decmeber 2008.  Now he and Ron can continue the snowmobile races in Heaven.

Sharon, Jennifer and Andrea - Lou and I were out of town and just heard of the bad news about Ron.  He was such a nice guy and will be sadly missed.
We'll always remember him at the Lakeland HS softball games cheering the team on.
Lou and Carol Margiotta

I just heard.  Ron and I wern't close, but we were neighbors of a sort ages ago.  I lived on Harlow in Detroit near 7 Mi. Rd and he lived on Harlow a couple blocks north.  I lived next door to his cousins Jimmy, Delores, Barbara, etc.  We kinda messed around together as kids.  I am so sorry to hear that he has passed on and hope the all is well with you and your family.  I know how you feel and want to let you know that he and you will be in my prayers.  Remember he is never gone if he is loved in your hearts.

A really funny story I remember about Ron was when Arctic Cat made Brian Sturgeon their main drag racer and when talking to Tim Berg and another guy one morning at a race Ron asked him what Arctic Cat was thinking when they made an oval racer like Sturgeon their main drag racer, Berg said he didn’t know but he may want to ask him as  Brian Sturgeon was the third person standing there, Ron just about fainted, it is one of the funniest things I can remember happening to Ron.

Sharon, Andrea and Jen, Ron was a great friend, as you all are, and will never be forgotten by Pat and I he was a true ambassador to the sport he loved so much and he was one of the people who we always had the best times with, he will be remembered not only as a friend by us, but as a great husband and father and a truly all around great person. Ron made me a better person for just knowing him and he will never be far from our thoughts.
 
Love Pat and Bill

Uncle Ron, I love you and miss you deeply. You will always be in my heart. 

Love, Cathy

From Clark Racing....Ron you will truely be missed.To the McBurney family, you will be in our prayers and thoughts! 

Steve, Kayla Clark

We were so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Ron was one of the finest people I have ever met.  It was always a pleasure to sit and chat with Ron even if it was only for a minute. 

I am reminded of the World Series on Ice in Kalkaska when Ron and Kurt Schultz won the Top Gas Shoot Out.   What sight to see the racing community embrace the two of them at a very big moment in Ron's racing career.  I can still see Ron and Kurt hugging and jumping up and down in excitement after that big win.  

I got to know Ron better after that weekend and I learned very quickly just how great a man he was.  What ever we needed at the track, if Ron had it we were welcome to it. Be it a spark plug, main jet, or even one of Sharon's famous brownies, Ron was there to help out just about anyone, and in return he wanted nothing, only a thank you.  

The small world of snowmobile drag racing has suffered a huge blow.  We lost a pillar in our sport, and so many have lost a true friend.       

My heart goes out to Ron's family, you are in my prayers.  God bless you Ron, you will be greatly missed.  

Ryan Compton
Carpenter Racing

I met Ron through snowmobile racing. He was first and foremost a friend who could be counted on when you needed help. After many races and many miles on the road together a bond was forged that not only I, but also others in the racing community came to appreciate. No race was complete without stopping around Ron’s trailer. Ron did not participate in the sport he was part of the foundation of the sport.

Many of the non-racing conversations we had were about his family of whom he was so very proud.

While his passing creates a void that cannot be filled a worse fate would have been to have never known him.

Our condolences to Sharon, Andrea and Jen and the rest of Ron’s family. Thank you so much for the beautiful service.

Mike and Darlene Rorabacher

God bless you Ron. Your gonna be missed. I remember a comment you made to me about a fellow racer at Haydays. You said-- he is one of the good ones. I allways respected your opinions and liked your company. My only regret is that I never told you that you are one of the good ones.

I am a new friend of Jen's through work so, I didn't know the family.  I can only say if there is any of Ron in Jen, I am sure he was a wonderful, kind and funny guy.  I am so sorry for this loss.  My prayers go out to the entire family.

Ron was a great competitor and freind, you will be missed by all your freinds in Canada.My condolances go out to the family and freinds.
Garry Querel and family

Dear Sharon, Jennifer, and Andrea,
Our deepest sympathies to you for your loss. Here is a memory from the old neighborhood.

Circa 1952
Lynnie Boy, Brother Pete, and I headed to Oakfield to visit Grandma McBurney. When we got to the backdoor, Ronnie says, "there's donuts on the sink." He grabs 3 white powdered sugar donuts a piece and says, "let's get out of here." 

We got to Al Tews' house only to be met by Auntie Kate. "Where did you get these donuts?" she asked. Ronnie's reply was, "grandma gave them to us." "Pow, bap, zap" and Ronnie went down for the count. "Paulie boy, Peter - give me those donuts in your hand!" was Auntie Kate's next request. Our reply, "nuh - uh...see ya, Ronnie."

As we ran away from the crime scene, shoving the rest of the donuts into our mouths as we ran, the powdered sugar went everywhere. Grandma McBurney must have tipped off Auntie Kate. Pete and I ran behind Hatters' old house until things cooled off.

Thank you all for the kind words about our father & husband. Please don't hesistate to leave a memory or comment here. The messages you leave will be put in a memory book for our family to keep in rememberance of such a special man.

Sharon, Jen & Andrea McBurney

As time heals families and friends broken hearts from the loss of Ron, it will be filled with memories full of joy. We are so sorry for your loss, but he has become your gaurdian angel and will be with you alway. Sharon, Jennifer, Andrea, and family, we are here to support whatever you may need.
The Zampa Family (Hartland, Mi.)

TO RON AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILY

FROM ME TO YOU IN A TIME OF THE HEART

FROM ME TO YOU IN A WORLD UP APART

YOUR LOOKING AT US ALL,YOU WILL SMILE AND YOU WILL CRY

WE REMEMBER THE MAN WILL ALWAYS ASK WHY

BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS THE GOOD AND THE LOVE 

THAT RON HAD FOR HIS FAMILY AND RACING AND STUFF

RON WAS A MAN THAT SPOKE WHAT HE FELT IN HIS MIND

HE NEVER KEPT BACK WHAT HE FELT MAD OR KIND

BUT I REMEMBER THE WORDS HE SPOKE TO ME NOW AND THEN

AND HE WAS A GOOD PERSON AND A VERY GOOD FRIEND

I WILL KEEP HIS WORDS IN MY HEART AND TAKE TO MY LIFE

AND I WILL FOLLOW THE WISDOM THRU FAMILY AND LIFE

THANK YOU RON FOR ALL OF YOUR WORDS TO ME THRU LIFE WITH 

RACING KRIS AND FAMILY IN A WHILE

LOVE LINDA/ AND ALL OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE EVER MET YOU

LOVE TO THE FAMILY THAT HAS GOOD MEMEORIES TO THINL ABOUT 

LINDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cosdra Girl {Linda}

Dear Sharon, our deepest condolences on your loss. We will always remember the wonderful times with Ron in our After Dinner Mint balloon. We will plant a tree in Ron's name. You are in our prayers

Ron's wonderful personality encompassed everything you look for in a promoter, sponsor, competitor and FRIEND in this wonderful sport of snowmobile racing. Ive known Ron almost my entire life and my dad has known him even longer and there is no one we are more proud to call our friend than Ron. We will Truly miss you pal and all the memories we made.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are With You and Your Family!!
Thinking of you!
The Tiede's and everyone at Woody's

Ron was my friend.  Ron always made me feel welcome and part of the racing community.  His presence was one of the main reasons I race.  I will surely miss him and it won't be the same without him.

Ronnie was a great friend.He was hard on the outside and soft in the center.He did much more for me than I could ever do for him.I will miss him greatly.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Ron touched so many of us in a great way and will be dearly missed by the whole sled racing community.   Mike "Mouse" Livsey

We are sorry for your loss.  Words do an injustice in explaining how much we will miss Ron. He will remain very much alive in our hearts and in our memories.  

Kim, Jeff, and Justin Piar

Ron&Sharon were the best people to have at any race event, your were always welcome at there motor home to eat the best food in the area, Sharon are prayers go out to the Mcburney's. Ron was a super guy.his was always helpful at all the grass events. and i will miss him, god speed and god bless. Rick and Laurene Prestia Brooklyn MI.

OBITUARY

Ronald L. McBurney

November 12, 1946 – March 14, 2010

Elton Black & Son Funeral Home

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