of Little Rock, AR

October 11, 1943 - May 26, 2024

Ronald (Ron) Roger Burch passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 26th, 2024 in Little Rock, Arkansas at age 80. Ron was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 11, 1943 and moved with his family to Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1945 where he spent his early years.

Upon graduating from high school in 1962, he attended Henderson State University where he was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. It was there he met the love of his life, Darlene Harris from Hot Springs. They married the summer before their senior year on August 20, 1966 and graduated together at the end of the spring semester of 1967.

While in college, Ron participated in the Advanced Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program and upon graduating, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, Combat Branch of the Corps of Engineers. After attending and graduating from the U.S. Army Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he served in Germany and Vietnam. He completed his active-duty obligation after serving as a company commander at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with the rank of captain.

In 1971 Ron began employment with Arkansas Legislative Audit in the State Capitol Building. He enjoyed the opportunity to work on a wide variety of audit assignments in various units of government. In 1988 he was chosen to fill the position of Deputy Legislative Auditor with responsibility for State agency audits. During the course of his career, he was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Association of Government Accountants and Southwestern Intergovernmental Audit Forum. After a 37-year career, he retired on June 30, 2008.

Ron and Darlene enjoyed leisure travel and had the opportunity to visit 48 of the states, including Alaska and Hawaii and many of the United States' National Parks. After retirement, they traveled to many international locations on the seven continents. Ron made a hobby cataloging digital copies of their extensive photos and travel mementos, as well as researching and documenting ancestral family heritage information.

Ron was predeceased by Darlene, his beloved wife of 57 years and his parents, Dennis W. and Cecelia P. Burch. He is survived by his son, Ron, Jr (Kathleen); daughter, Melissa (Matthew) and four grandsons, Collin, Nathan, Jackson and Michael.

A funeral service will be held at Pinnacle Church of Christ on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 1:30 pm, with family visitation beginning at 12:30 pm. Private burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, 10200 AR Hwy 5, Alexander. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com