Ronald R. Shoemaker Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Porsche 356 Enthusiast passed away on Friday September 25th.
Ron was born in Iowa to Ernest and Helena Shoemaker on January 25th 1935. While his parents who owned race horses, traveled the country Ron chose to live with his Grandparents in San Diego California. Where he graduated from San Diego State and spent many weekends having misadventures with his buddies in Tijuana Mexico.
Later Ron moved to Billings Montana to work as a pharmaceutical rep. which is where he met the love of his life, Mary Jean Jendro, soon to be Shoemaker. They married December 27th 1969 and had their son Eric the year after. Shortly after, they moved to Colorado settling in Littleton where they had their daughter Kari and Ron’s first 356 Porsche. He drove the car happily until he began “the restoration project”, which would last for the next 43 years.
Ron loved his family, friends and meeting people. He was the kind of person who could, and did make friends with anyone. He was kind, funny, generous and more than a little bit stubborn and would often be seen arguing intensely to make sure he would pay the bill at dinner.
He truly enjoyed being with people, which led him and Jean to throw amazing Halloween parties for neighbors, Ron’s friends from Rose Hospital where he worked and Jean’s teacher friends. Where costumes were a must... the crazier and funnier the better. Later on Ron could be found most days at the Starbucks on Orchard in Cherry Hills having coffee and discussing everything including politics, cars and boasting about his granddaughter Paige to his friends.
Ron was a car lover and was a long time member of the 356 Registry and the Rocky Mountain 356 Club, where he met many close friends who loved the cars just as much as he did. Ron could be found on most summer nights working on his car with the garage door open, as an open invitation for any one driving by to stop, have a beer and talk for a while.
Ron touched so many lives and will be missed immensely. We as his family, ask you to raise a beer or cup of coffee to Ron and toast to your favorite memory of him. Think of him when you see really cool car and remember he would not want sadness and tears but conversation with friends and happy memories of him.
Ron is survived by his wife Jean, son Eric, daughter Kari, son-in-law Dave and granddaughter Paige.
In lieu of flowers, Ron’s family asks you donate to your local food bank or to the homeless in his name and memory.
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