Ronald Norman Beaver
Ronald Norman Beaver, 57, "cashed in his chips" on August 21, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. Our Beloved husband, brother and friend born August 3, 1959 in Long Beach, CA, was raised in Valley Acres and Bakersfield. Ron had a very strong work ethic, a love for adventure, and a stronger love for his family. He had an exciting career in the oil and gas drilling industry, breaking out in the "oil patch" in 1977. Ron's career led him domestically from CA, the Rocky Mountains to Prudhoe Bay, AK and offshore to the Arctic Ocean. In 2006, Ron went overseas to Saudi Arabia as Rig Manager for Weatherford and in 2009 was promoted to Operational Performance Supt based out of Dubai. Ron performed duties in Ukraine, Crimea, Romania, Russia and Central Asia. Ron enjoyed working with the many different cultures stating, "we all had the same goals: drill the well safely, put some money in our pockets, and go home to our families safely." Ron finished his career working for Saudi Aramco as Drilling Foreman.
Ron enjoyed many hobbies, including skiing, snow shoeing, fly and bill fishing, boating on Lake Powell, and ATV riding in the CA desert and UT mountains, rock climbing and white water rafting. Ron enjoyed road trips and international travel. His most memorable trip was in 1987 when he boarded a 32 ft sloop "Morning Winds" in New Zealand with the captain and headed 4500 miles north for Hawaii. They stopped at four different island chains before finishing the trip to be home for Christmas.
Ron met the love of his life during Christmas 2001. Two days after meeting her, Ron remembers telling his sister he had met the future Mrs. Beaver. He married Tina a short 8 months later, and they enjoyed 14 loving years together.
Ron was an integral part of his family and kept everyone connected. He was positive, energetic, and spread love with every encounter. He had a nickname for everyone, was the life of the party and a source of endless stories.
Ron never met a stranger. He was a friend to all and made everyone feel welcomed and accepted. He was always on the phone and kept in contact with everyone. He helped anyone and everyone without asking for anything in return. His friends and acquaintances spanned the globe. He touched many lives and will be missed by all he knew.
Ron was preceded in death by his father Norman Ellsworth Beaver and mother Nedra Joy Beaver. He is survived by his wife Kristina Coleman Beaver, sisters Janni McBurnie, Kelly Ryan, Cherie Larson and Susan Robinson; brothers Tom Beaver and Jim Beaver; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside service Oct 8, 1 pm at Greenlawn Cemetery, 3700 River Blvd, Bakersfield, CA; to be followed by a Celebration of Life, 2 pm at Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St, Bakersfield, CA.