Ronald (Ron) Jakel, one month shy of 77, passed into eternal life on November 15, 2017, due to a long and arduous battle with cancer. His wife of 56 years, Deanna, was at his side. Ron was born in Glendale, California and grew up in La Canada. After Ron and Dee married they lived in La Crescenta and moved to Clayton in 1976, which was their home for 41 years. The night Ron met Dee he went home and told his best friend that he had met “the All American Girl.” Ron attended Pasadena City College.
Ron was employed at J. R. Duss in La Canada, The Union Ice Company in Los Angeles, Oakland, Richmond and Stockton for 29 years as Plant Manager. Before his retirement he was employed by Lehmer’s in Concord for 15 years, he loved cars and still had his 1960 Austin Healey Sprite and loved riding his motorcycle. Ron and Dee enjoyed short trips in their RV and spending time at their cabin in Arnold, known as Hodge Podge Lodge. A fantastic gardener, his yard was referred to as “the park.” He loved fishing but never seemed to catch many fish, but still enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. Over the years, he clipped his tiny little Bonsai trees into miniature forests. Later he moved to larger trees and had to use ladders to reach the tops. He enjoyed time spent kayaking, bicycling and rooting for the SF Giants, ever hopeful they will do better next year. A handy man who could always fix anything He loved his country music and everyone knew Ron by the signature cowboy hat he always wore. Ron was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton Valley Village, Clayton Historical Society, Bay Area Spyder Riders and was a founding member and two term president of the original Regency Woods Homeowners Assn.
Lovingly referred to as PaPa, Ronnie, Ronner and the Silver Fox, Ron is survived by his loving wife, Deanna (Dee), daughters, Cindy Jakel-Smith (Ben) of Clayton, Christy Jakel Patrick (Eric) of Clovis, and Chery Jakel-Collet (Dave) of Arnold, granddaughters Darcy, Shaina, McKenna, Veronica and Baileigh, brother Carl (Carol), brother-in-law Todd Hardman (Bonny), nephews and nieces, too many to count. Family was the most important thing in his life and Ron lived every day for each loved one. Lastly, he loved his little Gizmo, “Gizzy”, his 4 pawed pal.
Celebration of Life will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Concord, California with a fellowship hour following. Private interment at Oakmont Memorial Park, Lafayette, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be designated to John Muir Health Foundation, in Ron’s name, to support Cancer Services Nurse Navigator program, a foundation that helps prostate cancer patients with financial needs. Memorials can be made online (givehealthjmh.org) or mailed to John Muir Health Foundation, 1400 Treat Boulevard, Walnut Creek, CA  94597.

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