Ron Fuqua

Life Legacy Ron Fuqua, Sr., 85, lifelong resident of Salinas, passed away quietly in his home on December 18, 2015. He was born to Inez and Earl Fuqua on August 7, 1930 in Clinton, Oklahoma. Ron moved to Salinas in 1945 where he graduated from Salinas High School in 1947 at the age of 16. Ron spent his working career as an auto dealer at Ford Motors for over 49 years, where he began as a shop assistant and retired in 1996 as an owner. He was a member of the Salinas Elk’s Lodge #614 BPOE and the Salinas YMCA. Ron was a tireless fundraiser for the Salinas High School Athletics Booster Club and supporter of various other community programs. Ron had a passion for baseball and was a lifelong coach, mentoring young athletes from the time his sons began little league in the late 1950’s, continuing through the end of his life. Ron sponsored, coached and played softball with the Salinas Valley Ford Team from 1971-1998. He traveled with the Exposition Softball Travel Team to Hong Kong in 1986; Russia, Sweden, and Finland in 1987; and The Bahamas in 1991. Aside from softball, Ron was an avid fisherman and gardener. Some of his fondest memories were with his beloved wife of 66 years, Sallie, doting on their kids, spending family time at Lake Berryessa and travelling around the world. Ron also enjoyed a successful late-in-life career as the “Mitt-Mender”, repairing and refurbishing baseball and softball gloves for customers around his beloved Salinas Valley and across the country. Ron’s grandchildren and greatgrandchildren brought him tremendous joy over the last 40 years and he was deeply committed to teaching, supporting and cheering them on in their various endeavors and sporting events. Ron is survived by his loving wife, Sallie Fuqua; sons, Ron Jr. (Patricia) and Earl (Bevelyn); brother, Don (Shirley); Son-in-law, Jake Thorup; 4 grandchildren (Aaron, Jennifer, Alyssa & Nolan) and 5 greatgrandchildren (Matthew, Kate, Elizabeth, Abby & Thomas) as well as other loving family members and friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, daughter, Marsha Fuqua Thorup, and brother, Gene. Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, December 23 at 2pm at Healey Mortuary 405 N. Sanborn Rd. Salinas, CA 93905 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salinas High School Athletics Booster Club, 1172 S. Main St, Salinas, CA 93901, Palma Athletics, 919 Iverson St, Salinas, CA 93901 or any other of your favorite Salinas school athletics programs.