RonaldJ. Papaleoni, former U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and longtime servant leader,died Friday from complications with chronic health issues. The 74-year-old wasa Quixotic figure with a passion for helping those who were the most disadvantagedin his community. Like his father before him, he served honorably in variouspositions in the U.S. Navy. He was a Vietnam veteran. After retiring from 21years of military service, he pursued a distinguished corporate career thatincluded owning two consulting companies as well as serving as a logisticsoperative for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

Theyoung Ron, however, was an adventurer at heart. His dream was to be a piratewhich would eventually lead him to the Navy. But his earliest job was as DJ“Ronnie Starr” on WQSR Radio out of Syracuse, NY. Afterward, he joined the Navyat the tender age of 17. He would spend the next 21 years in uniform working inlogistics, computing and special intelligence operations.  He touredEurope extensively spending 90% of his Naval career overseas. Like Hemingway,he ran with the bulls in Pamplona.  He lived the dash!

Soft-spokenand obsessive in his performance of public service in his later years, Ron feltthat volunteering in his community was paramount. He was a member of Kiwanis,the Acworth and Kennesaw Business Associations, the Fleet Reserve Association,an Honorary Member of the Combat Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AmericanLegion Post 304 and the Patriot Guard Riders. Ron was also a member of LeadershipCobb Class of 2008, Honorary Commanders Association, Acworth Citizen of theYear 2001 and Seventh Congressional District Citizen of the Month January2002.  Ron also served as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Cityof Acworth for 10 years and also with the Lake Allatoona PreservationAuthority.  He and his wife of 30 years, Angela, joined with anothercouple to pilot Acworth’s first “Shop With A Hero” program through The JoyFoundation; this became an annual tradition providing hundreds of children withsupport and gifts each Christmas. This, along with his participation in “TackleHunger” and “Feed the Hungry Heroes,” earned him local and nationalrecognition.

ForRon, perhaps the most important service he performed was in support of the PatriotGuard Riders of Georgia. He completed dozens of missions and served as a FlagWagon Captain. He made it a personal mission to make sure that every fallenveteran received the honors they were due. He worked with local, state andfederal lawmakers to improve benefits for veterans and their families.

Thosewho knew Ron describe him as a man with an infectious sense of positivity and awarming smile for all he met. He was a lifelong follower of Christ, embodyingthe tenants of the Christian faith through his daily actions. It was said ofhim that if someone did not know God, they would come to know God simply bybeing in Ron’s presence. He was a member of Three Taverns Church in Acworth.

Heis survived by his wife, Angela; son, Kevin; daughter, Angel-Marie; step-sonDavid (Kimberly); granddaughter, Alina; grandsons Nathan and John Michael; andgreat-grandson Baron.  Ron is also survived by a multitude of family andfriends.  A memorial service will be held Nov. 28 at 12:00PM, at ThreeTaverns Church, 3575Acworth Due West Rd, Acworth, GA 30101, followed by internment atGeorgia National Cemetery, in Canton, GA at 3:00 PM, where he will be givenfull military honors. The family requests casual dress for the service.

The family has asked that donations to the Patriot Guardof Georgia or the Missions Fund at Three Taverns Church in Acworth be made inhis memory rather than gifts of flowers.   Condolences can be leftfor the family at www.GeorgiaFuneralCare.com.