Ronald Ervin Fritz

Ronald (Ron or Ronnie) Ervin Fritz of Groesbeck passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, March 11, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 2 PM in the First United Methodist Church of Groesbeck with Pastor Steve Nance officiating, assisted by Pastor Billy Bever. Burial will follow at Lost Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ryan Black, Russell Black, Murray Agnew, Jason Ash, Brendan Johnson, and Dustin Bates. Honorary pallbearers will be the GHS Class of 1966, SP/UP Railroad buddies, Mary's Breakfast bunch, Afternoon DQ friends, and Melly's Coffee Bunch. Ron was born on March 2, 1948 to Earline Harper and Ervin Fritz in Groesbeck. He graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1966 and worked a few years, before he started working for the Southern Pacific Railroad, living in several towns, as was the railroad way. Ron married Ginger Kaye Roberts in September 24, 1982, and they lived in Hempstead until later moving back home to Groesbeck in 1989. He retired from Union Pacific Railroad as a welder on October 1, 2003. Ron was very active in the community and in his church. He was a Groesbeck City Councilman for 9 years and totally enjoyed this part of his life, as he loved his hometown and wanted only the best for Groesbeck. He loved his Groesbeck Goats and tried to always go to the Friday night home games with Ginger. He was an usher at his church, First United Methodist Church of Groesbeck, and served on several committees within the church over the years. He loved his early morning breakfasts with his friends, first starting out at Dairy Queen and then moving to Mary’s Breakfast and Burger Barn. He also loved his afternoon coffee breaks with his friends at the Dairy Queen and later at Mely’s Restaurant. He just loved people. He also loved working at the family farm with his father-in-law, Beall Roberts and brother-in-law, Jimmy Roe. His family was always important to him - his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant the world to him as did his nephews. He so loved his wife, Ginger, and took such good care of her, that she wanted for nothing. He quickly became a part of her family, who loved him greatly. Ron will be sorely missed by all who knew him, which is proven by the outpouring of love shown by all. Ron is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Gladys and Bob Harper and Annie Fritz Nelson; his parents, Earline Black and Ervin Fritz and Elmer Black; his brother, Donald Wayne Fritz; aunt Tiny Mae Jones and Carlton Rivers and Lelton Jones; cousin Johnny Rivers; father-in-law, Beall Roberts; dear friend John Dean Easley; and too many of his railroad buddies and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Ginger Fritz; son Ronnie Fritz; daughter Rhoda Fritz; grandsons, Dustin and Laura Bates, Travis Stanley, and Stevie Brown; great grandchildren, Hunter and Ryder Bates and Stormy Stanley. He is also survived by his step-brother, Larry Black and his wife Linda, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Cynthia and Billy Bever; nephews, Russell and Leslie Black and family, and Ryan and Holly Black and family; Donnie Bever and family and Sonny and Erin Bever and family; his mother-in-law, Maxine Roberts; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Patti Roe; nephew, Benton Roe and wife Lorin; and other family members; his beloved classmates; railroad buddies; and friends. He is in the presence of his Lord and Savior now. God Speed, thou good and faithful servant. Flowers are welcome but the family would like to encourage donations to be made to Providence Hospice Place of Waco, First United Methodist Church of Groesbeck, Groesbeck Ex-students Association, Groesbeck Athletic Boosters, Groesbeck Band Boosters or Limestone Medical Center Foundation. All contact information for the organizations can be obtained by contacting the Funeral Home.