In Loving Memory

Ronald L. Wilson passed away peacefully in Moraga, California on April 8, 2025. He was 88.

Ron was a builder, an adventurer and cherished member of his family and community.

He was born in Yuba City, California to Woody and Anita Wilson and moved toTracy when he was young. He grew up fishing and hunting in the then undeveloped Tracy countryside which was a growing railroad town.

He particularly enjoyed his wild times in the Sea Scouts which led to alifelong love of the water and sailing. He worked summers on the railroad with his father and studied psychology at UC Berkeley. He obtained a beer and wine license at 21 and, on awhim, opened abar in Fresno. He continued his studies in Fresno, but was drafted into the US Army &served two years in Germany.

Ron met Carol Lipson in Berkeley, California in 1969.

Their first date was onJuly 20. It was love at first sight and, despite having access to a TV, they missed the moon landing. They married and spent 55 years together, growing a family, building a business, forging friendships and exploring far reaches of the earth for months at a time.

Through Allied Management –the company he and Carol created to capitalize on emerging real estate opportunities - Ron designed and built residential properties across Northern California. He enjoyed playing tennis at Meadow Swim and Tennis Club and Saint Mary's College and continued to have a phenomenal serve even well after his hair turned white. He kept his hair to the end, a fact of which he was inordinately proud. Every fall he and his friends made wine for each other and their families, with Ron producing cases under the Tadpole Gulch label. Ron was an accomplished sailor, skilled motorcyclist and avid explorer. He and Carol raced catamarans, chartered sailboats and explored dozens of countries.

Ron was a lifelong member of the American Atheists Society, a supporter of science and an eternal advocate for the underdog.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, his son Cody Wilson and former daughter-in-law Pam Wilson, his daughter Heike Wilson and son-in-law Carles Panades, his daughter Lizette Wilson Chapman and son-in-law Bill Chapman, his daughter Susanne Wilson Darner, and seven grandchildren: Zachary Wilson, Mandy Wilson, Zenaida Chapman, Gunnar Chapman, Brody Chapman, Cole Darner and Kaylee Darner.

ACelebration of his Life will be held on Sunday, May 18th from 2 to 5 PM in Orinda.

Please email RonLWilsonMemorial@gmail.com to RSVP.