Ronald McClung

A Poetic Tribute to Ron McClung

Ronald McClung, age 72, of Clarkesville, Georgia, slipped peacefully from this world in his sleep on Monday morning, March 30th. After a long and courageous journey with cancer, his suffering has ended, and his spirit is finally, gloriously free.

Born on September 28, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, Ron grew up with the salt of the ocean in his blood and the rhythm of waves shaping his earliest sense of wonder. The sea was his first teacher — vast, untamed, and honest — and he carried that love with him long after he left the shoreline.

A proud Vietnam veteran, Ron lived a life marked by resilience, service, and quiet strength. He bore the weight of his experiences with humility, speaking plainly, loving fiercely, and showing up for others even when life had not always shown up for him.

Ron was also a musician with fire in his soul — a red‑haired Willie Nelson doppelgänger with stories only a life like his could produce. He played guitar with the raw emotion of someone shaped by the music of the 60s through the 80s, the soundtrack of the Vietnam era pulsing through every note. In his twenties, while playing at an event, a crew member noticed the uncanny resemblance and whisked him straight onto Willie Nelson’s tour bus. Ron met Willie himself that day — a moment he carried like a spark, retelling it with that unmistakable glint in his eyes.

In his later years, Ron found sanctuary in the care of his dear friends Tina Free and Shane, who ensured he was safe, comforted, and never alone. Their home became a place of rest and dignity — a soft landing for a man who had weathered many storms.
He is survived by his ex‑wife and longtime friend Lynne’ McClung, his beloved dogs, and a circle of friends who will remember his humor, his stubbornness, his music, his stories, and the way he softened in the presence of genuine care.

Ron wished for peace, simplicity, and freedom at the end of his life. Those wishes were honored. His passing was gentle, quiet, and without pain — a release from the body that had carried him through so much.

A private gathering and fire ceremony will be held to honor his life and service at a later date.

“Ron is FREE — free from pain, free from fear, free to rest in peace.”