Ronald "Ron" Gene Rohrer

Ronald "Ron" Gene Rohrer, 87, of Vallejo, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on July 15th. Ron was born in Canton, Ohio on May 16, 1937 to Archie and Mildred (Babics) Rohrer. After graduating from high school, Ron worked at a local steel mill. Very quickly, he knew this was not going to be his path. So, he headed out West to Los Angeles, California to live with his sister Joan and her husband Charlie. That is where he fell in love with the ocean. After he got his fix of body surfing and diving… he joined the United States Marine Corp and served four years. His favorite duty station was Formosa where he had many fond memories. His last duty station was Mare Island in Vallejo, California. After discharge he decided to stay in Vallejo, he loved the weather. He would often say he had no desire to return to an Ohio winter. While in Vallejo, he met Marilyn Martinez. Marilyn grew up in Jackson on her family ranch. She spent a lot of time in Vallejo with her grandparents after her mother’s death. They met at a party where Marilyn was not too interested in him. Yet, Ron being Ron would not be deterred and finally won her over after much determination. They married in Reno, Nevada on October 10, 1964. They welcomed their only child, Mark Andrew Rohrer on December 26, 1968. Ron worked odd jobs until he found his true passion for construction. He worked for Maher Construction in Vallejo as a laborer and then as a carpenter. He moved up fast and was soon running projects as a lead foreman. But he wanted more, so he and another co-worker (Darrell Young) went out on their own and created Quality Construction where they specialized in concrete and home renovations. After parting ways with Darrell, Ron teamed up with Art Blankenship where they built many homes, multi-family units as well as renovated numerous homes… They were a great team. They were partners until Ron’s passing. Ron was extremely close to Marilyn’s father Henry and enjoyed spending time with him on the ranch. He enjoyed helping his father-in-law around the ranch with whatever Henry needed done… as well as hunting and fishing on the property. He also grew to be very close to Marilyn’s brothers, Hank and Ronnie. Ron’s son Mark followed in his Dads footsteps. In 1997 Mark, who also worked for Maher Construction as a Carpenter, decided to venture out on his own. Ron, who at this time was semi-retired… was right there to help Mark. He worked with Mark and Mark’s best friend Tony Tarantino for years. He enjoyed getting back out into the field with the guys. He had a lot of hobbies and loves. He loved elk and deer hunting in Cokeville, Wyoming with his best friend John Scarrott. He loved duck hunting with his son Mark as well as Mark’s friends Tony and Josh… they had a lot of great times in the duck blind. He loved fishing… it didn’t matter where he was fishing… as long as he was fishing. He loved Abalone diving camp trips with his friends and family. He enjoyed driving down to Baja Mexico with his friends Gayton and John. They would camp on the beach and fish from their own boats… These trips would later turn into father-son fish trips. He would throw an annual cajun style crayfish feed with the help of his friend Gayton getting the crayfish. It was one of his favorite things to do. Friends and family would come from far and wide to eat the little delicious “Mud Bugs” as they were affectionately referred to. He loved the joy it brought everyone. He loved woodworking... he would build many things with old redwood that he would repurpose. He built lighthouses, ships, a rendition of his father-in-law's ranch, and numerous bird houses… he was a true craftsman. He loved working on his 72 Bronco, 31 chevy and his boats. For years and years he was involved in his yearly and then bi-yearly family reunion in Canton, Ohio. He loved cooking the pig and lamb on the rotisserie spits at the Serbian Hall with his cousins Joe, Bob, nephew Rod... as well as many others… there’s not enough room to list them all. Words could never convey how much he loved all his family back home… and they loved him. As he got older, he loved walking the Mare Island waterfront. He would often get upset when others would not speak well of Vallejo. He would defend Vallejo to the end and say… “ Vallejo has been very good to me!” He loved his grandchildren, Victoria and Joseph. He would build them many things out of wood that they still have after all these years. Heenjoyed duck hunting with Victoria and looking at his collection of coins with Joe. He enjoyed attending all the activities that they were involved in through the years… he was very proud of them. He drew close to his daughter in law Jamie over the years saying he only wanted Jamie to administer him his medications, Lol… Jamie would jokingly tell Ron, It only took 30 years for you to trust me! Lol He adored his wife Marilyn of 59 years… you could see the love he had for her. He looked forward to his son Mark coming for the daily visits. Ron and Mark had more than a father and son relationship… They were best friends. He will be missed more than we could ever convey in words. We would like to thank a few families in particular for the years of love and support. The Scarrott’s… the Tarantinos… the Steinbergers (In-Laws)… the Fagan’s… All the Babics’ back in Ohio… and to all others who have given all their love and support through the years. He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred, father Archie, Brother Archie Jr. (Sonny) and sister Joan. There will be a Celebration of Life ceremony 11 AM Saturday, August 10th at St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1224 Alabama Street, Vallejo, CA 94590. Private inurnment will be held at Jackson Catholic Cemetery. N. Main and Church Street, Jackson CA 95642. at a later date. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to a veterans organization of their choice.

Ronald "Ron" Gene Rohrer

May 16, 1937 - July 15, 2024