Ronald Dane Cater

Ronald Dane Cater; of Lake Orion; age 88; passed away on September 9, 2024, while surrounded by his loving family.  Ron is the beloved husband Gayle; loving father of Rebecca (Tony) Krofchik, Dane (Melissa) Cater, Belinda (Jim) Hintze, Bobbie Kelley, Beverly (Dick) Cheniae and Brittan (Barbara) Benedetto; loving grandfather of Rachel (Brad) Bowden, Aaron (Kristen) Krofchik, Lizzie (Eli) Wentink, Amanda Cater, Ryan Cater, David (Chelsea) Hintze, Ali (Matthew) Caddenhead, Lauren (Jordan) Bassett, Matt (Laurel) Cheniae, Brittany Benedetto and Bryce Benedetto; and dear great grandfather of Greyson and Asher.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Vola Roy Cater and Lucille Collier Cater Pratt; and his sister, Pat (Raymond) Copeland.

Ron was born in Hartman, Arkansas on January 25, 1936.  His family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma when he was about 8 years old.  He joined the United States Air Force at 17 ½ years old with his mother’s signature.  Later, Ron joined the U.S. Marine Corp and became a pilot of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.  He was a Vietnam Veteran of 2 ½ tours.  Ron retired from the Marine Corp in 1979 after 23 years of service.  He moved back to Oklahoma and continued his career in aviation, but with a few other adventures, also.

In 1982, Ron married Gayle Horn Benedetto and moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  In his second retirement, Ron volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Broken Arrow Police Department.  He remained active in the local fitness centers with regular workouts and more recently continued those exercises at home.

He enjoyed crossword puzzles, paperback novels that were Westerns or mysteries, collecting old clocks, Jeopardy, the latest news report, gardening/yardwork and our dogs – Holly Jolly Christmas Cater and Angie Canine!

Ron and his family were active in the Broken Arrow First United Methodist Church in Oklahoma; and after moving to Michigan in 2015, the Lake Orion United Methodist Church.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lake Orion United Methodist Church with Pastor Larry Wik officiating.  The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.