WILMINGTON — Ronald Murdock MacPherson, 83, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at his residence at The Davis Community. Mr. MacPherson was born on July 24, 1933, in Princeton, N.J., the son of David Murdock MacPherson and Helen Donald MacPherson.
Ron attended Princeton High School, was employed by New Jersey Bell Telephone Company for over 30 years, and served on the Underwater Demolition Team in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 76 and the Lions Club in Princeton, N.J., and was very active in the West Windsor (New Jersey) Little League. He belonged to many churches in his lifetime, and most recently to The Little Chapel on the Boardwalk in Wrightsville Beach.
Ron was preceded by the death of his parents, David and Helen MacPherson; and sister, Audrey MacPherson Baker. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Vivian (Wright) MacPherson, also a resident of The Davis Community in Wilmington; daughter, Rhonda (MacPherson) McIlwain of Richmond, Va.; son, Darryl David MacPherson, and his wife, Nancy Redfield MacPherson, of Fairfield, Conn.; grandson, James Bradley McIlwain, and his wife, Alexandra Laudeman McIlwain, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; granddaughters, MacKenzie Ruth McIlwain of New York, N.Y., and Amy Elizabeth MacPherson of Boston, Mass.; and grandson, Andrew Wells MacPherson, and granddaughter, Elizabeth Grace MacPherson, both of Fairfield, Conn.
Ron loved spending time with his family, playing and watching sports, cooking for a crowd, and planting and tending his garden. He was a loving and committed husband, father and grandfather. Always the hospitable host, he will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service and reception will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at The Davis Community, 1011 Porters Neck Road, Wilmington, for the staff and friends.
The family is very grateful for the love and care from the staffs at Plantation Village, The Davis Community and Lower Cape Fear Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401; or a charity of your choice.