Ronny Dean Freel, also known as Ron, Rod, and Hot Rod (as a young kid) passed away at his home in Belen, N.M., on April 30, 2024, at the age of 70. He was born in Alamosa, Colo., on May 9, 1953, to Harold (Pont) and Winifred Maxine (Feenie) Freel.
Ron was a proud father of two daughters, Tandy Freel (Todd Burt) of Sandia Park, N.M., and Blair (Brian) Lopez of Albuquerque, N.M., and especially proud of his two grandsons, Joseph and Alex Lopez of Albuquerque, N.M.
Ron graduated as valedictorian from Moffat High School where he enjoyed playing basketball. He also rode rough stock and bulldogged at high school rodeos. Outside of school, he worked at the family ranch driving heavy equipment and tractors, a love he never outgrew.
In 1974, Ron and his wife, Lynette, moved to Bloomfield, N.M. Ron worked at a gravel query and Plateau Inc. before joining Giant Industries as a crude oil truck driver. Ron worked for Giant/Western Refining for over 20 years where he managed a fleet of crude trucks along with personnel and always loved to work and drive the big rigs. Ron was also an outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting big game in Colorado and New Mexico.
In retirement, Ron lived on an 8-acre farm that he cared for with much passion. He tinkered with tractors, raised hay, cared for livestock, and maintained a great group of friends. He especially loved his “four-legged kids” that accompanied him during work and play, they were always by his side.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Harold L. and Winifred M. Freel, his two brothers, Terry (Ted) Freel and Robert (Bob) Freel, his brother-in-law, David (Dave) Stagner, and his “forever brother-in-law”, Robbie Clark.
Ron is survived by two daughters, two grandsons, his sister, Linda Stagner of Moffat, Colo., and two sister-in-law, Bonnie Buzard of Tucson, Ariz., and Kathy Freel of Moffat, Colo. Ron is also survived by his nephews, Pete (Lynn) Stagner, Brady (Kelly) Stagner, Scott (Judy) Freel, Darrel (Kim) Freel, and Klint (Dana) Stagner, nieces, Amy Freel, Robbie Kay (Jay) Bertelsen, and Tina (Bill) Eastman, and several great-nieces and -nephews.
A grave side memorial service will be held on Aug. 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rito Alto Cemetery, County Road X, Moffat, Colo., with lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rito Alto Cemetery.
