Ronald E. Youngquist

Major (Ret.) Ronald Ron Edward Youngquist, age 86, died Thursday, June 21st at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC after complications from stroke and pneumonia.Starting with his birth in Cicero, IL in 1926, Ron went on to lead a life that shaped a man many people will dearly miss.Losing his father at the age of 17, Ron helped raise his brother Ray, and support his mother, Jeanette, through the Great Depression.The family relocated to Los Angeles, CA where Ron ultimately attended Loyola University.He withdrew to join (even though under-aged) the Marines at 17 and served with distinction in the Pacific Isands as an infantryman in some of the bloodiest, fiercest fighting of the war. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him.He went on to join the Air Force as an Officer fighter pilot and was deployed to Korea for the duration of the Conflict.He was a pilot in the Air Force Shooting Stars, Americas first jet fighter wing deployed to active combat.A heavily decorated soldier and leader, Ron also was a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.He was redeployed to a base in Texas where he became a fighter pilot instructor.It was then that he married the love of his life, Frances, and the couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 23rd.They had three children, Pam, Lance, and Mark before the family was deployed to France to provide air defense in Europe during the Cold War.Returning to Texas, Ron went on to assignments in Rantoul, IL and Raleigh, NC, lastly as Commander for recruiting of the Carolinas for the Vietnam War where his command ranked second in the Air Force for recruitment.It was then that daughter Lisa was born and completed the immediate family.Upon retirement, Ron went on to a career with the State of North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, an area of tremendous interest to him.Ron also retired from the State and has been living in Garner, NC with his wife since.He was a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 391 based in Garner, an avid supporter of his childrens activities, a military historian, an excellent cook, a lover of music, a silky-smooth dancer, a gardener, a strategist, the strength of his family, a devout Catholic, and the best husband and father any family could hope for.He had an incredible work ethic and was the consummate gentleman.He is survived by his wife Frances, brother Ray (wife Alice), daughters and sons Pam (Tim) Lucas, Lance (Bev), Mark (Annalisa) and Lisa, grandchildren Shelley, Holly, Leslie, Blaine, Connor, Jordan (Lauren), Corey, and great-grandchild Scarlett.The family will receive visitors from 5 - 7 PM on Sunday June 24, 2012 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner, and services will be held at St. Marys Catholic Church also in Garner, NC on Monday June 25, 2012 at 10:30 AM.Ron will be inurned at ArlingtonNationalCemetery in Arlington, VA, our nations most hallowed ground for those who served and sacrificed with dignity and honor, with full military honors.