Ronald Joseph Welty

Ronald Joseph Welty, passed on to the promise of eternal life with God on February 21, 2025.  He was 91 years old and spent his last 24 days surrounded by his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law at Ruby Memorial Hospital. 

He was born in Rivesville, WV, into a Roman Catholic family & his faith carried him throughout his life. He was a graduate of Farmington High School, Fairmont State College, and WVU.  He was a 70-year brother of the TBI fraternity. He served as Sargent First Class during the Korean War, followed by 10 years in the US Army Reserve at the Fairmont military base. Ron was a member and past Grand Knight of Marist Council 7772 Knights of Columbus.

Ron had a 35-year career in public education.  He was a teacher and basketball coach at Sabraton Junior High School in Monongalia County.  He was the last principal of Greenbrier High School that was later consolidated into Greenbrier East.  He was Supervisor of Secondary Schools in Jackson County.  He was Assistant Superintendent of Cuyahoga County Schools, OH, and on staff at Appalachian Educational Laboratory and WV Department of Education.  He was Superintendent in Gilmer County for 10 years and completed his career in Nicholas County as Superintendent and Treasurer.

What an incredible number of lives he improved as he taught, guided, and inspired students in so many places over the years. He is often remembered for opening gyms and playing basketball with students evenings & weekends.

Ron & Flora raised their daughters with unconditional love and a belief that they could achieve anything.  He loved his grandchildren & great-grandchildren in a way that was felt strongly through the generations. Everyone was welcomed & appreciated in their home. His faith and inspiration will live on in all of us.

Ron was proceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Flossie Welty; in-laws, Argyle and Delphia Yost, brother Don Welty; nephews Greg Welty and Rick Potesta and sister-in-law, Patricia Hamilton.

He is survived by Flora, his high school sweetheart and wife of 69 years. Three daughters & sons-in-law: Vicki & John Ballengee, Ronda & Rod Moore, Amy & Jonathan LeRose. Eight grandchildren: Jessica (Bryan) Bowles, Stefanie (Brandon Scarberry) Painter, Aaron (BethAnn) Fiddler, Ryan (Celia) Fiddler, Sam (AbiGail) Moore, Kyle Moore, Dominick (Madison) LeRose, Luke LeRose. Ten great-grandchildren: Blake, Sean & Noah Bowles, Isla & Oliver Fiddler, Reed & River Scarberry, Yara & Mazen Hodroge-Fiddler, Adaline LeRose, (with number 11 on the way).  His sister & brother-in-law: Carolyn & Bob Potesta; sister-in-law Ruth Welty DeMary; brother-in-law William Hamilton, cousins, nieces & nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Summersville, with officiating Priest Rev. Rene Gerona, SVD.  A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM prior to the Mass.  A private interment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery in Summersville.

White-Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be made to the family at our website www.whitefuneralhomewv.com

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