On a crisp Oct. 8, 2024, dawn at 4:54 a.m., Ronald F. Cory left this earth for heaven under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice.
Ronald was born June 22, 1947, the first-born son of Melvin Duane and Marilyn Storm Cory. He was a baptized and confirmed member of the Tama Methodist church. He grew up in Tama and graduated in 1965 from South Tama High School. While in high school he played football, baseball, basketball and tennis, receiving 10 letters. Ron graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant in 1969 and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He was Greek Man of the Year in 1967. While in college he studied abroad for two summers and traveled extensively in Europe and Russia.
After the death of his father, he took over ownership and managed the Double D Supper Club, later selling it. Ron married Darla Twedt on May 11, 1974. Their early years of marriage were spent in Colorado, and upon returning to Iowa, opened Bogie’s Gal Boutique in Tama. The two worked side by side for more than 30 years. Two daughters were born from this union, Regan and Ashley.
Ron was a longtime volunteer community leader. He was the Tama Chamber of Commerce president for five years and retail chair for six. He served as Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival Parade Chairman for 12 years, Festival Barbecue chair for eight years, Festival Entertainment chair for 15 years and overall Festival chair for six years. Ron served as Lincoln Highway Bridge Restoration chairman in 1987 and chairman of the Bridge Park Maintenance Committee for 13 years. Later he would chair and oversee the building of the permanent brick signage in the park.
Ron received the Iowa Governor’s Leadership Award in 1987, Tama Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Service Award in 1988, and was awarded Tama Citizen of the Year Community Service Award in 1991. Ron served as Tama County I-Club president for two years, and was Tama County I-Club Man of the Year in 1983. In 1986 he received the F.O.E. 2828 Eagles Humanitarian Award. In 1985 he was given the United Way Leadership Award.
He served as South Tama Booster Club president and during this time the Booster Club was 1 of 5 nominated for a state award. Ron co-chaired the TAC Junior Olympics in Tama. He was the founding president for Dollars for Scholars in 1990. Ron was the Tama Farmer’s Market co-founder and market master.
He was the original president of Tama Projects, Ltd., and served for seven years. He was a member of the New Addition Fundraising Committee in 1997 for the Tama Fire and Ambulance Service.
He served as RAGBRAI Co-Chairman for Entertainment, Food and Beverage in 1995 for Tama-Toledo. Ron was a member and director of the State Lincoln Highway Association for many years and was the Fundraising Chairman for the new Louise and Lucile Hink Tama Public Library.
Upon retirement he and Darla worked in Alaska a few seasons. Over the years they traveled extensively across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Ron was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, having attended his first Rose Bowl with his parents in 1959. He and his family enjoyed Iowa Hawkeye season tickets and traveled to several bowl games. Ron enjoyed movies, especially film noir, and traveling across the U.S. to tattoo conventions. His favorite foreign countries to which he traveled were Scotland, Sweden, and Spain, and with significance, his trip to East Germany after W.W. II.
In later years he and Darla made their home in Wellman to be near their grandchildren, Noah and Tabitha, and attend their school events. Daisy and Denali, their tortoiseshell cats, moved along with them and enjoyed wandering the large yard with Ron as he meticulously took care of it. Shortly before his death, Darla and he moved to Cedar Falls. Ron quietly battled cancer for more than 14 years and tinnitus for well over 20 years.
Left to join him later in heaven, his wife, Darla, of 50 years, who was his best friend and care giver with wonderful support from Cedar Valley Hospice, daughters Regan (Brandon) Casteel, Ashley (M. Reed Fisher), grandchildren Noah and Tabitha Fisher, sister Barbara and brother Henry.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Private family graveside services were held at Oak Hill Cemetery Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Tama, Iowa. Memorials may be directed in Ron’s memory to Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa. Condolences can be made to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com. Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service in Belle Plaine, Iowa is assisting the family in their time of need.
