R.I.P Ron Stebles

[frankeeski]

Very sad news today. Good friend Ron Stebles was struck and killed by a vehicle yesterday . He was walking back from his mailbox and must not have seen the car coming. I got word from Dr. Karen just this afternoon after lunch. Ron was very active in the FFR Challenge series for a number of years. He later completed a beautiful Type 65 Coupe. We had the pleasure of spending time with Ron and Charlene on week long cruises in Utah, NorCal and the California Sierras. Please keep Ron's wife Charlene and the rest of the Steble family in your prayers.

[John Tongish]

I am so saddened by this shocking news. Over the years Victoria and I have shared Utah and California cruise weeks with Charlene and Ron and both paired so nice with each other and the Cobra community. Ron and I were together at the FFR cocktail hour at SEMA earlier this month and talked about organizing a cruise thru his country in the southern Sierras and other car outings. Our car community has lost a great friend and avid supporter.

[David Hodgkins]

Ron Stebles was a great guy. I spoke with hime yearly at our pre-HB events and I saw him "around" once or twice a year, At Sema or a driving event.

I didn't know he was an active retired marine:
https://www.facebook.com/VAFresno/photos/a.1075060452513696.1073741950.157561754263575/1075060469180361/?type=3&theater

He was the outgoing Senior Vice Commandant of The Marine Corps League Fresno.

I'll miss him.

:(

[ehansen007]

RIP Ron. We just spoke at SEMA. You looked serious most of the time but I'm proud to say we laughed together and enjoyed a beer before this terrible thing happened. You were a good man like so many FFR people and I'm proud to say I knew you. My heart goes out to Charlene. For those who didn't know him he is first on the left.

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/ehansen007/1C7027AF-849A-4700-BDD3-4A620CC4186F_zps5g3hckn4.jpg (http://s897.photobucket.com/user/ehansen007/media/1C7027AF-849A-4700-BDD3-4A620CC4186F_zps5g3hckn4.jpg.html)

[Garry Bopp]

I first met Ron at the Monterey Historic Races in 2012, where we were both part of the "Brock Coupe Group", honoring Peter Brock and his contribution to the Cobra race team. I always enjoyed visiting with Ron and Charlene and I was glad that I got to spend a good bit of time visiting with Ron at the SEMA FFR party earlier this month. He was a straight talker and a good man and a proud Marine.

Rest in Peace, Ron. Your presence will be greatly missed. Prayers to Charlene and family.

Garry

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/032.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/theboppshop/media/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/032.jpg.html)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/118.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/user/theboppshop/media/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/118.jpg.html)

[Mark Dougherty]

No way
terrible news.
Ron and I would talk a couple times a year about building just about anything.
always inviting me out to his place to work on stuff.
Ron also ran in the challenge series years ago.
we would love talking coupes.
I will miss his gruff exterior ( he is what I will always picture a cowboy as) and his incredible knowledge about all things cars.
Charlene if you need me for anything please let me know.
he will be missed

[vnmsss]

I join everyone's sadness in the loss of Ron Stebles last weekend. I first met Ron in 2008, when he joined the Challenge Series out here on the west coast. I didn't quite know what to make of Ron at first, as his tough "marine" exterior was hard to read. I soon discovered though, that beneath that gruff, self-directed shell, was a multi-talented, fun-loving, and very patriotic gentleman.

Ron was always building something, and his interests were widespread. He was the king of preparedness, and his Sportsmobile was always a source of fun between us. I would tease him about how happy I was knowing someone who lived up in the Sierras and owned the ultimate survival vehicle....Always told him I'd be looking him and Charlene up were Armageddon to happen.

Many great things can be said about Ron. He lived a life of devotion to family, always had the next adventure on the horizon, and remained in "service" to this country long after his retirement from the Marine Corps. Whether we were at the track, in the parking lot of a hotel along the way on many of our road trips, or fixing a car on the side of the road, one always knew Ron was "in charge" of himself and the situation.

He was the quintessential "sentinel", and his physical stance, with his hands on his hips, surveying the "battlefield" always left one with a feeling that we were all in good hands. The world did indeed lose a great person last weekend, and the sadness in my heart has some measure of ease knowing Ron truly LIVED. It's at times such as these that we are all reminded of how fragile life is, and how blessed we are to share life's experiences with such good friends...........The cars may bring us together, but it's the people that bring us back.

Ron, in his signature "sentinel" stance......Yes, he was always surveying the land.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2010%20FFR/IMG_7062.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/snkbtn/media/2010%20FFR/IMG_7062.jpg.html)

Ron's Challenge Series car.....
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2010%20FFR/IMG_7059.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/snkbtn/media/2010%20FFR/IMG_7059.jpg.html)

Three Coupes, all built by Challenge Series racers.....2014 Huntington Beach Cruise-In.
Tom Coon (red). Ron Stebles (white), Karen Salvaggio (blue)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2010%20FFR/Three%20Coupes_zpsbtfskhla.png (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/snkbtn/media/2010%20FFR/Three%20Coupes_zpsbtfskhla.png.html)

With Ron and Steffon at the SEMA Show just a couple weeks ago......He was really liking the Gen 3 Coupe!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2010%20FFR/RonKarenSteffon_zpssniulfzg.png (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/snkbtn/media/2010%20FFR/RonKarenSteffon_zpssniulfzg.png.html)

Rest in peace, Ron.......I was blessed in your friendship, and you will always remain in my heart.

Karen

[Garry Bopp]

Thanks, Karen, for a great tribute to Ron. You knew him a lot better than I did ... and you expressed it so eloquently!

Garry

[Russ Thompson]

I agree, good job Karen, you always write so well.

I talked with Rons wife Charlene yesterday, there will be a service on Dec. 6th at 10 am, Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 808 4th St., Clovis, Ca. after the service they will head over to Red Banks Cemetery and then all are welcome back to Ron and Charlene's home to share stories and joy reflecting on Ron's life.
I do plan on attending, just one of many I suspect!

[vnmsss]

Thanks for the kind words Russ and Garry. I also spoke to Charlene, and will look forward to seeing many of our friends at the service.