Ronnie D. Medlin | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: May 02, 1942, Died: January 18, 2014

    Ronnie Douglas Medlin, Sr. (Ron) passed away at his home in Belhaven on January 18, 2014.

    Ron was born May 2, 1942 in Durham, N.C. and grew up in Greensboro, N.C. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Medlin, both of whom preceded him in death.

    Ron graduated from Greensboro Senior High School and N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He served eight years in the United States Air Force, including one year in Viet Nam (1967  -  1968), as an Electronic Warfare Instructor. After leaving the USAF, Ron became Manager of the Medical Electronic Department at Duke University Medical Center. Later, he and his family moved to Raleigh, N.C. where he worked for Texas Instruments, Inc. and Toshiba America, Inc., traveling worldwide as an expert in the sale of electronic components.

    Because of Ron's love of being on the water whether power boating or sailing, the family bought a vacation home in Belhaven in 1987. Upon his retirement, Ron and his wife moved to Belhaven full-time. He then earned his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License and became a towing Captain for Tow Boat, U.S. While living in Belhaven, Ron served on the board of the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce, became a member of the Belhaven Rotary Club and served as Chairman of the Belhaven Planning Board until he retired due to his illness.

    Ron leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Linda Medlin, a daughter, Jill McGrath and her husband Jim of Plymouth, Massachusetts, a son, Ron Douglas Medlin, Jr., his wife Melissa and two grandchildren, Amelia (Mia) Ann Medlin and Ron Douglas (Trey) Medlin III of Wilmington, N.C., his sister, Jean Pleasant and her husband Larry of Belhaven and a niece, Tabitha Pleasant of Orchard Beach, Maryland.

    Ron's burial service will be private. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Ron's life at the family home, 275 Riverview Street, Belhaven, N.C. from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2014.

    The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Community Home Care and Hospice, 222 Stewart Parkway, Suite 100, Washington, N.C. 27889.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Medlin family.