Ronnie Ed Slade, age 74, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at home with his loved ones.
Ronnie, commonly called Jack by his family, was born on March 2, 1950, in Danville, VA, to Marie Slade. Ronnie would spend over a decade of his childhood with his grandparents, Carrie and James Slade in Yanceyville, NC, before joining all his siblings at the family home. Ronnie was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany from 1970-1972, where he served as a medic honorably.
Following his time in the military, Ronnie continued to live in Germany for 8 years until he would eventually move back to the states. Calling the Boston area home, Ronnie and former wife Dominika, would welcome their son, Julian, in 1984. He then spent nearly two decades as a warehouse manager all while furthering his college education. He would later attend and graduate with a degree in Science which led to a career as a Radiology Technologist with the VA Hospital in which he would eventually retire from in 2012.
After retirement Ronnie moved to Maine for 4 years where he enjoyed hiking and exploring midcoastal Maine, taking in nature and the picturesque landscapes it offered – he loved the outdoors and his time in Maine. In 2016, Ronnie moved a final time to Clarksville, TN, to be closer to his only son, Julian, and his grandchildren. Ronnie enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up, taking them to the park, going on drives, watching wrestling with them, spoiling them, joking with them, ordering them UberEATS and telling them he was the Moon Man.
He was a quiet man with an old soul, a heartwarming smile, and an infectious laugh. Ronnie was loved beyond words and will be missed every day by his loved ones and friends. Those who knew him were lucky as he truly was one of a kind.
Ronnie is survived by his son, Julian Slade; daughter in law, Amber Slade; brothers, Willie, Lionel, Tracy, and Melvin, sister; Suzie Williams; and four grandchildren, Quincy and Amerie Slade, and Manny and Anna Ruby; many nieces, nephews and greats; and best friend, Dominika Spetsmann.
A celebration of life in Ronnie’s honor will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm in the Chapel of Neal Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home with Rev. John Mark Thomas officiating. Burial will follow directly after the service at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home.