Ronald Arthur Sherod's Obituary
Ronald A. Sherod died in Union City, CA on April 1, 2024. He was 97 years old. Ron was
born and raised in Omaha, NE but moved to California in the 1940’s and lived most of his
life in California.
Ron served briefly in the US Navy at the end of World War II as a Pharmacist Mate in San
Diego, CA. After the Navy, Ron returned to school and married Theola (Terry) M. Hennig of
Decatur, NE on June 30, 1946, in Los Angeles, CA. In 1953, they had their only child, Craig
A. Sherod.
Ron and Terry enjoyed 76 years of marriage, living in Long Beach, CA, Sedona,
AZ, Roseville, CA and in Union City, CA at the Masonic Home properties. Ron was a proud
Mason, serving as Master of Bixby Knolls Lodge in Long Beach in 1960-1961 and as
Grandmaster of California Masons in 1990-1991.
Ron has a degree in Accounting and served in senior management roles in the aerospace
industry from the 1950’s through 1975. He worked on many programs, from early satellites
through the Apollo moon landing. He worked for TRW, Space Technology Laboratories, and
McDonnell Douglas during these years. In 1975, he founded Equitable Management and
Consulting Corporation, focusing on management for retirement homes and large
condo/townhouse developments. Ron served on the Presidential Council on Aging during
the Reagan Administration. He sold the successful Equitable in 1985 and began focusing on his new responsibilities as Grand Orator and eventually Grandmaster of California.
In 1992, Ron and Terry moved to Sedona, AZ and enjoyed 7 wonderful retirement years
before moving to Roseville, CA to be closer to their only grandchild, Ryan M. Sherod, born in
1997. Ron enjoyed lots of friends and golf in Sedona and Roseville. They moved to the
Masonic Homes Acacia Creek Active Living community in Union City around 2007. As they
aged and needed more help, they shifted to the Masonic Homes Assisted Living community
on the same campus around 2021. Beloved Terry passed in September of 2022 at age 97.
Ron passed gently with no medical emergencies after speaking with his son, Craig, a few
hours before. Ron was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who was always there
for his family and friends. He will be missed.
His ashes will be buried next to Terry’s by family members at the Chapel of the Chimes.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?
