Ronald B Colson

Ronald Bernard Colson entered this life on May 31, 1949 to the union of Gertrude Marie Wiggins and Harold Colson. Affectionately known as Ronnie, he attended Our Lady of Sorrows and Kelso Elementary Schools. He graduated from Crepe Myrtle High School and briefly attended Grambling State University. He decided to volunteer to serve his country and enlisted into the United States Navy in 1967. He served in dry dock on the USS Brinkley Bass in Long Beach, CA to prepare the ship for return to the WestPac tour and later served in Acapulco and Adak, Alaska. He proudly served six years in the Navy as a seaman and firefighter. While continuing his service in the Naval Reserve, Ronnie returned to Pineville, LA where he worked briefly at Baker Manufacturing before securing a job with Dresser Industrial Valve. He remained employed there for 45 years and retired in 2014.

Ronnie met and fell in love with his wife Virginia of 49 years at a church picnic at Cotile Lake. Ronnie and Ginnie married in 1972 and brought two beautiful children into the world, Adrienne and Lil Ronnie. Ronald took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and he loved them dearly. Ronnie was well known throughout the community and was highly respected. He was an avid sports player and fan. Ronnie played baseball as a child and softball as an adult while simultaneously playing for various teams of Alexandria and Pineville, including the Dresser team. He also proudly coached his younger brothers, Keith and Kevin, and his son Lil Ronnie on and off the field. Later in life, he took pride in his grandsons, Andre and Damien, by privately coaching their sporting talents and providing and supporting their every need. After slowing down from every weekend softball tournaments, Ronnie decided to pursue the game of golf. He was introduced to the game at a very early age by his beloved Uncle Hayward and would sometimes caddy. Ronnie was such a great player, and he achieved one of his dreams to make a hole in one. Others would seek his advice and instructions on how to perfect their game. He built his own putting green to practice and would teach his grandchildren how to putt and chip.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Gertrude Hilt and Albert Wiggins, paternal grandparents, Nettie Gonzaque and Oswald Colson, his parents Gertrude Marie Wiggins and Harold Colson, two siblings Denise and Kenneth, and one great grandson, Jaylen Micah Joubert.

Ronnie leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Virginia Moran Colson. Two children: Adrienne Colson Cosey (Brandon) and Ronald B. Colson II (Adrienne A) of Alexandria, LA; Six grandchildren Ashley, Alexia (Dijae'), Calvin Andre (April), Damien (Brooke), Ashlyn, and Isaac Colson; Seven great grandchildren; Ryleigh, Dakota, Mason, Demi, Raelyn, Bryson and A'saih. Siblings: Keith (Marylou) Sullivan, Wanda Robertson, Kimberly Brown of Lompoc, CA, Karen and Kerri Sullivan of Lafayette, LA, Kevin (Tammy) Sullivan of San Jose, CA, Anita Sullivan of Pineville, LA; one Godson Karvelle Cortney (Danielle) Sullivan of Vicksburg, MS. He also leaves to cherish his memory, his sisters-in-law, Cynthia Michael and Lillie Jenkins of Alexandria, LA, brother-in-law, Gerald Moran (Marie) of Houston, Texas; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved and respected him dearly.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Public viewing and visitation will begin at 830 am, with rosary beginning at 945 am, and mass beginning promptly at 1030 am.

Immediately following mass he will be taken to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Ball, Louisiana, for military honors and final committal rights.

Please keep the Colson and Moran family in prayer.

Miller and Hill "The Funeral Directors"