Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Vanlandingham III

Ronald L. Vanlandingham III, age 19, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2014. He was born in San Antonio on October 2, 1994 and was a graduate of Ronald Reagan High School Class of 2013. He attended Texas State University. Ronnie started talking at an early age and never stopped. As the light and joy of his family, he loved to take care of his younger cousins. He loved playing sports, spending time at the lake, and hanging out with his friends. “Mini Van” was full of personality with a tender heart and will be missed by all who knew him. Ronnie was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ronald Lee Vanlandingham. He is survived by his parents, Ronnie and Missy Vanlandingham; grandparents, Linda Vanlandingham, Mary Phipps and Ray Phipps; brother, Zachary Vanlandingham and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and many friends. The visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East. The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 20523 Huebner Rd. The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ronnie’s honor to the Animal Defense League or to a charity of your choice. A memorial fund has also been established at Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union under "The Ronnie Vanlandingham Memorial Fund". The account number is 9280285. To sign the online guestbook, please log on to www.sunsetnorthfuneralhome.com.

The Brightest Light

By Don Harris

God has created us all to be some kind of light

Some are like candles, gently setting a mood

Others are flashlights, guiding our path

Some are like a traffic signal, warning us to stop

There are the barely visible, faintly burning in the background

And the Blazing fireballs that fascinate us with their brilliance.

Little Ronnie was that kind of light

Ignited at birth his very existence demanded that we watch

We could not keep our eyes off of him

His personality and passion commanded the room

His humor and mischief required our undivided attention

Loud voice, gentle heart, anxious spirit.

Little Ronnie was an adult in a child’s body

He was the ringleader, the conductor and maestro

Kids followed him, laughing all the way

Adults admonished him, laughing all the way

He drove us crazy and made us smile all at once

Fiery, Fearless, Faithful, Friend

Our lights burn for different reasons and for various lengths of time

Some for a century or more

Some are barely noticed when they burn and even less when they go out

Their purpose only God knows

But Little Ronnie’s Purpose is clear now

He was here to give us Amazement and Joy

The flashlight dims slowly, the candle gently flickers

And we never notice when the Traffic signal is replaced

But the Blazing Fireball keeps our attention

We must watch,

It brings us wonder

We Laugh, We are in awe

God has created us all to be a light

Little Ronnie to bring us joy

A Blazing, blinding, beautiful, hilarious, spectacular comet to capture our spirit, our soul

Oh how brilliantly he did shine.

He did shine!