Ronald Norwood, 91, died peacefully Monday, February 7, 2022, at Lifepath Hospice House, Sun City Center, Florida. His wife of 47 years, Roberta "Bobbie" (Williams) Norwood died in 2011.

He was born May 16, 1930, in Athens, Alabama, to Dorsey W. and Ethel (McNeely) Norwood. As the son of a sharecropper/carpenter during the Depression Era, Ron and his siblings moved frequently to follow their father's job opportunities. Whether delivering blocks of ice as a youth or learning carpentry from his dad as a teen, he developed a strong work ethic early in life.

At age 17, Ron joined the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California. He served about 13 years as a Machinist Mate and was stationed aboard several ships including the USS Henrico (APA 45), USS Mount McKinley (AGC 7) and USS Essex (CV 9). The USS Mount McKinley was an amphibious force flagship during the Korean War. Ron was onboard when General Douglas McArthur boarded and was taken from Sasebo, Japan, to Inchon, South Korea.

After leaving the Navy in 1961, Ron met and married Bobbie, the love of his life, and they settled in Missouri where he began working in construction. After a particularly brutal winter storm, he told Bobbie that they were moving south as soon as the kids were out of school! That summer they moved to South Florida and Ron announced he never wanted to see another snowflake as long as he lived! After the kids graduated from school, they tried living in East Texas for a while, but decided South Florida was where they belonged and settled there.

Ron worked in construction most of his life and spent his free time building bird houses, windmills, and other woodworking projects. While Bobbie was a superior cook, Ron was no slouch in the kitchen! He could create a stew to satisfy even the heartiest appetite, and his biscuits were pure, melt-in-your-mouth heaven.

Ron is survived by his sister Laura (Al) Lutterman of Georgetown, TX; brother George (Connie Migliore) Norwood of Riverview, FL; stepdaughters Sandy (Pat) Hammond of Australia and Barbara (Bern) Hofmann of Mandarin FL; great-grand-daughter Sarah Miller of Florida, and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins who will all remember him with love and laughter.

Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at Lifepath Hospice House in Sun City Center for the military honors they provided to Ron.

Ron requested no service or funeral. His ashes will be spread in the Gulf of Mexico at a future time.