Ronald "Ron" D Pence

July 22, 1946 - July 1, 2020

Ronald D Pence (AKA Ron), 73, of Lakeland, Florida and formerly Detroit, Michigan passed away on July 1, 2020 following a long battle with difficult health issues. He was born in Gadsden, AL on July 22, 1946 to the late David and Mildred Pence. He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Elise, and grandsons Wesley and Michael, of Clinton, Tennessee, daughter, Julie Denise, and grandchildren Jordan, Christian, and Maranda, of Lakeland, Florida, and son Ronald Dennis Pence II, and grandchildren Tucker and Amelia. He will be cremated and interned at the Florida National Cemetery. Ron joined the Air Force on his 17th birthday in Knoxville, TN and served three years during which he graduated from Clover Park High School while stationed at McChord AFB, Washington. Following his Honorable Discharge, he started his career repairing and painting wrecked vehicles in Hazel Park, Michigan. After several years, his talent and real passion for building and restoring classic and custom automobiles led him to open his own business in Lakeland, Florida where he eventually retired. There are too many beautiful cars to list, but Ron definitely had a gift of transforming the worn and beaten down clunkers into beautiful show winners. Those that knew and loved him will remember his incredible work ethic, attention to detail, and for always standing up for what he believed. Funeral Services will be conducted on September 30, 2020 at 3pm at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.