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.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 15012248300.
I was on the Legislative Audit Committee for several years. Ron was a constant and reliable part of the legislative audit team. He was always helpful and thoughtful. I just want to say that Ron was a great fellow and did his job with dignity and grace. Salute and thanks for your service both for the state of Arkansas and our country!
Our deepest condolences, Missy. I never met your daddy, but I know he would have been amazing! I’m sorry for all of the pain and heartache you have been through this month. May God wrap you with His comforting arms and ease your sorrow. I love you, friend.
My deepest condolences to the Family - my thoughts and prayers are with you as your family grieves