May 27, 1937 – Nov. 19, 2021
Ron was an outgoing and unique guy with a big heart. He was the captain of our family ship, and he centered his amazing life on love of family. He passed away Nov. 19, 2021 at the age of 84, surrounded by his wife and three kids.
Ron is survived by his wife Genevieve (Gini) Martinez McLoud; children Ron Jr., Laura and Shane; sister Peggy; and his six grandchildren. He passed naturally and peacefully; a quiet end to an adventurous journey.
His life was full of hard work and hard play. Born in Boston, Ron’s family moved to the LA area at the age of 6, eventually settling down in Sunland-Tujunga with his sister Peggy and parents Fred and Margaret. A lifelong Celtics fan, he learned to play a rugged style of basketball, football and baseball at Sunland Park. He played point guard from high school into his late 30s, played shortstop and point guard at Notre Dame High School, the U.S. Navy, and played for the AAA Minor League Dodgers for about six months.
After being cut by manager Don Zimmer, he soon became an Angels fan ;-). He transitioned to fastpitch and eventually slowpitch softball, playing until his mid 60s where his team, McLoud Salvage, won over 20 Sunland Park League championships and two Senior Softball world championships … all on knees that eventually limited his activities after many surgeries.
Ron was a blue collar guy. He had a toughness on the outside but was deeply tender to his family and friends – a true patriarch, always stepping up to help family and friends. His education was achieved on the playground and at job sites. He was never out-smarted by anyone, whether on a demo job, a softball field or playing poker.
Ron worked for his father as in the excavation business and then eventually started his own demolition company.
He married Gini, the love of his life, in 1963. They enjoyed traveling, bowling, Mexican food and spending quality time with the children. They worked together as partners and grew McLoud Salvage into one of the most competitive demolition companies in LA. The family moved from the Sunland- Tujunga area to La Crescenta in 1980 where they built the house of their dreams.
Ron excelled at most everything he put his heart to. His greatest joy and life accomplishment was his family and the love they all shared. Ron truly enjoyed playing softball, watching the Celtics and Angels, swing dancing, playing poker at the Commerce Casino, and fishing with the family and friends on vacations to remote Baja beaches and the town of Loreto – with a Carta Blanca in his hands waiting for the fishing pole to start dancing. He enjoyed being a grandfather to six kids, teaching each of them (and his three kids) how to play sports the right way, to live with integrity, to pursue their goals with passion, to take time to enjoy vacations and to always wonder what’s around the next corner. His sense of adventure and curiosity took the family to many unexplored beaches in Baja with the family in his F-250, a Lance camper, and the Meyers Manx dune buggy in tow. He preferred the road less traveled, and looked at the Baja trips as a way to unwind from the stress of work and to enjoy time with the family. He truly knew how to unplug.
He will be remembered for the love that he shared with many people over his 84 years. His memorial mass will be held on May 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 7344 Apperson St. in Tujunga at noon, with a celebration of life reception in the school auditorium. He was buried at the San Fernando Mission in January.
Funeral Directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com