Ronald A. Laurence, age 77 of Collinsville, IL, born on November 11, 1947, in Stockton, CA, passed away at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO on December 31, 2024.

Ron entered the U.S. Navy in 1968, where he received a degree in IT. After being discharged, he went on to work for Union Pacific Railroad in their IT department and retired after 32 years of service. When Ron was a young man, he enjoyed hunting, but said many times that after getting their dog Tori, he would never consider hunting again. He enjoyed golfing with his friends, restoring his classic, 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, and collecting model trains. He loved animals, especially his dog Tori.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Myrl Laurence, and maternal and paternal grandparents.

He is survived by his wife Kathy (nee Brown) Laurence, whom he married on June 4, 2005, in Lake Tahoe; his mother, Alice (nee Thibedeau) Sauer; a brother, Terry (Carol) Laurence; a sister, Margaret "Midge" (Mark) Penrose; his father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, various cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Ron Habermehl officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Metro East Humane Society or any animal shelter of your choice and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.