Ronald Orris Wilkinson, age 70, succumbed to his battle with cancer at his home, surrounded by his family on April 6, 2017. Though he lived in many places through his life, he was a resident of Colorado Springs. He worked for the University of Colorado Springs in different capacities since 1999, but his most beloved part of this job was teaching in the MAE shop. He was deeply loved and appreciated by all of the students and staff and will be deeply missed.
Ron was born on April 13, 1946 to Ralph Wilkinson and Ethel “Jacki” Gunnarson (Ackerson) in Seattle, Washington. On April 15, 1987 he married Sheena Jones in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ron found great enjoyment in fishing, as well as skiing, biking, and hang gliding. He had a contagious smile and laugh, and was known as a gentle soul. He received his diploma from Widefield High School in 1964. He served in the United States Army for 21 years, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Sheena; his mother, Jacki Gunnarson; his sister, Sharran Welty; his children: Christopher (Stephanie) Wilkinson, Rhonda (Tommy) Cameron, Ronald Edward (William) Miskell, and Loretta (Jaime) Ayala; his grandchildren: Mallerie Moore, Zachary Neal, and Brooke Cameron; and his great grandchildren, Autumn and Michael Moore. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Wilkinson, and his son, William Wilkinson. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to all.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. A reception will be held following the service at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.
A scholarship has been set up by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to help engineering students, with preference given to those interested in working in the MAE shop. In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations can be made in Ron’s name at https://giving.cu.edu/fund/ron-wilkinson-scholarship-fund.