Ronald Lawrence O'Leary

Born: 11/08/1949, Paterson, New Jersey

Died: 01/25/2026, Salt Lake City, Utah

Ron was a highly decorated Viet Nam Veteran who served 1969-1970. He was a LRRP, a long-range reconnaissance patrol-6 man team often behind enemy lines. After being wounded a second time, he became a door-gunner on a helicopter that would drop and retrieve other LRRP teams. He was shot down twice and had an engine failure crash and survived them all. The helicopter was why Ron was so hearing impaired.

Ron lived in New Jersey, California and then Utah. Ron was always there to support family and friends. Putting on roofs, remodeling houses, putting in a water heater-whenever you needed help then Ron was there. Once Ron received his disabled veteran rating, he worked with Congressman Lewis' office out of southern California to help other disabled veterans to receive their benefits and compensation. He got his compensation; he wanted those wounded military brothers to get theirs too.

Ron is predeceased by parents: James and Marie O'Leary, brother John Carroll, Siblings Jim and Marianne and wife of 39 years, Elaine O'Leary.

Ron is survived by his lady Jan Jones, daughter Serifin and grandsons, Skylar and Rylee. Sister Eileen, nieces Eileen, Jada, Carol, Patty. Nephews Russel and Jim. Extended family: Nicolette, Marie and Roy, Roy and Nikki, Star, Erick, Cody, Wyatt and Greg, Lydia, Jolene and too many others to name. Son Ronnie and stepson Brian.

An informal viewing was held at Goff Mortuary in Midvale, Utah, Monday, February 2nd at 3:00 PM. The Veteran will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery in Southern California Monday, February 9th at 10:45 AM

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