Ronald “Ron” Bert Woolery

October 24, 1942 - July 20, 2020

Ronald Bert Woolery, 77, was unexpectedly taken from this earth on Monday, July 20, 2020, to look over us from heaven.  He was born on October 24, 1942, in Pasadena, California, to Bert and Grace Woolery and was the little brother to Lois Sumpter and Linda Vernon, who preceded him in death.  Ron was also preceded by his wife of 33 years, Catherine Woolery, whom he met on a bus in Seoul, South Korea.

Ron has been a resident of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, for the past 20 years and formerly lived in Alameda, California.  He also served in the United States Army and was Honorably Discharged on March 24, 1970.

Known to many as “Big Tuna,” Ron was an avid fisherman as well as an extremely talented photographer.  He lived a life of adventure, which included traveling the world. 

For the past 14 years, Ron enjoyed working for the Pelican Landing Community Association and greeted thousands of guests as they visited Big Hickory Island.  His co-workers, through the years, were a great group of people and treasured friends. 

Ron is survived by his loving daughter, Lynn Matthews of Frederick, Colorado, as well as two grandchildren, Heather Wilson and Rand Phillips.  He will be remembered by friends and family for his infectious personality, funny jokes, and how he made those he loved feel very special. 

Ron loved the ocean, and to honor his wishes and life, his ashes will be spread during a Memorial Service at Sea on August 29, 2020, aboard the Island Runner led by Captain Joe leaving from Bonita Springs, Florida, at 5pm.    

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Marty & Susie Harjo Aug 7, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. We wish we could have met him.
    We are here for you and your family should you need us and our thoughts are prayers are with you.
    Love and miss you.

  2. Larry Hendricks Aug 7, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    Goodbye my friend. Oh, the fun we had. I will miss our conversations. Fair winds and following seas.

  3. Denny Felizzi Aug 7, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    “Uncle” Ron as I called him was a great friend and one helluva funny guy. Always had a story to share or a joke. I’ll never forget that time he tried to clock in on the microwave! Wish I recorded that!!! Breakfast at Burger King was always a blast. He is sorely missed. I can’t look towards Fort Myers Beach and not think of him blasting his airhorn as we passed by on our Friday sunset cruises. 😔

  4. Joseph Bell Aug 7, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    Ron was a good friend and a wonderful human. I enjoyed our Sunday talks and the many recipes we shared. I will miss Ron and his great sense of humor as well as his compassionate heart. Sail on my dear friend.

  5. Chris scheck Aug 7, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    Worked with him. Loved him. Will be missed. Take care big tuna.

  6. Michael Fuller Aug 7, 2020 at 8:37 pm

    Ron and I were best buddies for 20 years of boating on the California Delta and S.F. Bay area. We had many adventures with Ron and Cathy on both land and sea. It was great seeing Ron again when departing Ft Lauderdale and he drove over to meet us for lunch. We did keep in touch all these years and we will miss him terribly. Michael and Linda Fuller

  7. Dave & Jean Smith Aug 12, 2020 at 3:17 pm

    Dave and I will miss his smiling face greeting us to and from the beach.
    We also enjoyed him blowing the air horn as we passed by his condo on the Friday night sunset cruises.
    RIP Ron -you will be missed💔

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