Hines, Ronald Keith (Cleveland)

  • Thursday, March 23, 2023
Dr. Ronald Keith Hines
Dr. Ronald Keith Hines

Dr. Ronald Keith Hines, age 78, of Cleveland, Tennessee, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus on March 18, 2023, exactly one year after losing his beloved wife, Janice.

He was pre-deceased by Janice, his parents Robert Stickley Sr and Evelyn Pack Hines, his brother Robert, Jr., and his stepson Mike Crockett.

He left behind daughters Dina Dell (Scott), Nancy Pendergrass (Mike) and granddaughter MaryLynne, stepdaughters Terri (Titus) Freuler and Catherine (Rich) Humphreys, and daughter in law Patricia (Eddy) Timm. His additional grandchildren include Sara Beth (Brody) Hambright, Caylor Crockett, Mary Frances, Jackson, Caroline and Graham Humphrey, Bree, Madison, Hope and Noa Dell. He had great-grandchildren Duncan Hambright, and Nya and Sedrick Dell.

Ronald Hines was born in 1945 in Cleveland, TN to Robert and Evelyn Hines. He graduated from Bradley High School then proceeded to University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Following completion of the required course work, he moved on to UT Memphis to attend dental school. Ronald had one older brother Robert.

From a young age, both boys (Ronald and Robert) and their father were avid outdoorsmen. They loved to fish, hunt, boat and just be outdoors. There are endless stories about wild boar hunts, deer, quail, bass and trout fishing. If you can name it, they probably pursued it. The Tellico mountains were a second home for these guys. Scouting went right along with these endeavors as Ronald became an Eagle Scout at the young age of 13. He was the youngest scout in Bradley County to become an Eagle Scout at that time. Scouting was something that the whole family participated in together. They raised beagles and lots of other animals that were treated like family pets. Mr. Peepers was the family chicken. Ron was an artist and also loved to sing and play the guitar.

After completing dental school, Ron took a job working in public health in Greensboro, NC for about one year. He was home for a holiday in Cleveland and saw his future office for sale on Broad Street. He bought it and came home to be the sixth dentist in Cleveland. His father was also practicing dentistry in town. Dr. Ron built a practice that included a gentle, caring (and artistic) hand, competence and a smile. He practiced dentistry in that office for many years before moving to Chambliss Avenue. Ronald had past patients that still came to him to say that they still had a crown that he put in 40 years ago.

Ron started a family in 1971 and has two daughters, Dina and Nancy, who live locally. He loved to draw with them, play with them, camp with them. He built Christmas parade floats for the Brownie troops, threw massive cookouts and fireworks displays on Independence Day, planned great beach trips, and attended countless ballet and piano recitals and softball games.

Hunting and fishing continued to be a big part of Ron's hobbies as an adult, then he added race car driving. He and his cousin, Keith, purchased an Opel GT and hauled it to tracks all around the Tennessee area. He always was a bit of a thrill seeker.

In the fall of 1982, Ronald's life changed dramatically. At the young age of 37, he experienced a stroke that would forever change the course of his life. The stroke left him with paralysis on his left side (and he was left-handed.) His career and passion for dentistry came to an unfortunate end. After brain surgery and intensive therapy, he walked out of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville ready to face a new life.

Ronald married Janice in 1984 and spent almost 40 years with his "dream" heart. He lost his wife in March of 2022 and forever missed her. Janice added three children to their blended family-Terri, Mike, and Catherine. His favorite story is his salvation story which occurred literally less than two weeks prior to his marriage to Janice. No surprise, this changed the course of all our lives for the better. Ron was a great storyteller, and he loved to share it.

During their married life together, their Christian walk was top priority. They spent many years teaching Sunday school classes from singles to octogenarians. They lead story telling groups and served in the Emmaus community. Ron also spent many years as a counselor for the church. He participated in seven mission trips to Honduras, and it was a true passion for him. Here, he was able to revive his skills as a dentist to provide basic dental care in communities that had none. While he had a captive audience in his dental chair, he would place a tape recorder with his testimony on it (translated into Spanish) on the chest of the people in his care. He always loved sharing his faith. Ron and Janice spent many years serving as members of Westwood Baptist Church, Abba's House in Hixson, Mt. Olive Church of God, and Westmore Church of God.

Ron's love for people extended into a teaching ministry at Lee University. He was invited to teach anatomy and physiology labs for several years. He loved his students. He loved them so much that he took their pictures, memorized their names and began praying for them before they even walked into his classroom. He touched many lives on that campus and had many fond memories of his time there.

Ronald has loved being a Pappy to MaryLynne, Sara Beth, Caylor, Mary Frances, Jackson, Caroline and Graham. There was lots of laughing when Pappy was around, but teaching the Word to these precious people was always a priority too. The latest addition is his great-grandson, Duncan.

Ron was a kind, caring and compassionate man. He had grit beyond measure and never liked to complain. He loved his workouts in physical therapy. He used his gift of encouragement as a volunteer at Rock Steady Boxing (a program for people with Parkinson's at the YMCA). He was a friend to many. He spent that last year of his life at Avail Senior Living. It was a true home to him. He loved being there and considered the residents and the staff as family. His special side kick (care-giver extraordinaire) Devon Walker was a great helper to him. She is greatly loved and appreciated by our family.

We hope you had the pleasure of getting to know him.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 25, from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at 5 p.m. at Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services, North Ocoee Chapel.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Ron to a ministry close to your heart.

You may leave your condolences or share a memory with the Hines family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com

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