Ronald Paul McCord

Ronald Paul McCord, Sr., 78, of Stevensville, passed away, Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., with Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum officiating.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma with Military Rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team.  Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Memorial donations in Ron’s name may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.  Those wishing to sign Ron’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ron was born February 2, 1940 in Hayti, Missouri to John & Violet (Batchelor) McCord.  He entered the United States Marine Corp and made that his career, serving during the Vietnam War, and being discharged as Gunnery Sergeant after twenty years.  On April 4, 1981, he married the former Dianne Trowbridge at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor.  After the Marine Corp., Ron was employed for fifteen years as a Security Trainer at Cook Nuclear Plant and for ten years at Seven Trees Security, from where he retired.  He was a former member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church where he served as an usher, before transferring to Grace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. Ron loved attending Church and always dressed his best.  He loved Gospel Music, Bluegrass & Classical Music, playing his violin every morning, writing poetry and solving crossword puzzles.  Most of all, Ron cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grand & great-grandchildren. Ron is survived by his wife Dianne; his children-Ronald (Tina) McCord, Jr. of Vista, CA, Rhonda Deniston, of Oceanside, CA, Lynn Goldner of Stevensville; son-in-law Michael Conrad of St. Joseph; eight grandchildren-Melissa (Shawn) Zaffino, Matthew (Amanda) McCord,  Kyle McCord, Shaun Deniston, Cara Conrad, Mitchell (Abby) Conrad, Evan & Monika Spear; four great-grandchildren-Anna, Abby, Sam & Ben McCord, and Baby Boy McCord due in July; siblings-John McCord of  Frisco, TX, Pat (Jim) Ziems & Carrolyn McCord, both of St. Joseph, Jimmy (Margie) McCord of King George, VA; and numerous nieces & nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Jamie Conrad on April 8, 2015, his sister Barbara McCord, his brother Gary McCord, and his nephew Gary McCord, Jr.