Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Ronald James Bechard was the first born to his parents, Janet and Ron Sr., in Inglewood on August 23rd, 1961. His father taught Ron to respect women and he told him, "You are your children's memories." Ron was inspired by those words for the rest of his days. As a result of his parents' choices to be very involved with their children, Ron was raised in a close family with his brother, Steve, and his sister, Doreen. Their parents took the family camping, racing, riding motorcycles, and driving sand rail buggies. Ron has been racing since he was four-years-old – it was his passion in life.

Ron and Steve had a special connection and, as an older brother, Ron was Steve's mentor. In fact, Ron bought Steve his first BMX bike and his first dirt bike.

In high school, Ron played the drums and walked in the Rose Parade twice. He joined the badmitton team – just to meet girls. He also played golf to meet the girls and he would wear the golf shorts and golf hats – he looked snazzy. He would ride his bike and skateboard in abandoned swimming pools before the time of skateboard parks... he went hang gliding for adventure... and he and Mike would even ride their motorcycles down the hallways of the high school. He did get suspended a few times.

Ron graduated from Los Altos High School and he became an Iron worker for the next 15 years. In 1989, he was injured when he fell two and a half stories on a job at the Marriott. Ron went through rehab and embraced his hobbies in the world of remote control at Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair. It was a chance meeting at Pegasus Hobbies that changed Ron's life forever.

A young lady by the name of Holli went to Pegasus Hobbies because she liked to play with remote control cars. Ron was more interested in remote control boats at the time. One day, Holli went to the store and was talking with Ron and he followed her outside. He wondered around his truck for a while and then finally he asked Holli on a date saying, "Please have dinner with me. What are you doing tomorrow?" Holli said she had to go work the next day, but she ditched work and went go-karting with Ron instead. That was their first date on November 4th. Then, he took her to Claim Jumper for dinner. The couple became friends first and then a beautiful romance and partnership developed...

A month later on December 21st, he took Holli to Antonio's for dinner and as he was fumbling around in his pockets, supposedly looking for a card, when he pulled out a ring, got down on one knee and proposed marriage by asking – will you marry me? Holli said – yes! The couple married nine months later on September 28th, 1991. It was a beautiful wedding ceremony and the couple honored their vows every day for the next 21 years together.

Ron wanted to give Holli the world. They traveled overseas to Japan; they traveled across country; and then Ron wanted to give Holli children. When Holli found out she was pregnant, they continued racing remote control cars and remote control planes while she was pregnant. After Dalton was born, they also went dirt bike racing. They knew Dalton would love racing, too. Sadly, Ron's father passed away at the young age of 55 when Holli was pregnant, so he never met Dalton. A few years later when Holli's mother was ill, the couple decided to try for a daugher. Holli was pregnant when her mother passed away so her mother was not able to meet Skylar. The losses of their parents were sad, but the couple was overjoyed with the births of Dalton and Skylar.

Ron was the ultimate family man from the beginning of his journey with Holli as he was devoted to his wife and children. He was the perfect man who earned respect. He also gave respect in return. He gave 110% of his heart to his family. He taught Dalton to treat the girls right. And, he was an incredible dad to Dalton and Skylar. And, he was also an inspiring uncle to his nephews, Trevor and Riley. Ron was truly a devoted family man.

The garage was the place to be for Ron, Holli and the kids. On weekends, Ron played his favorite rock n' roll music while he worked on his race cars in the garage. Holli learned how to weld and did the welding so she could spend more time with Ron. The kids were always involved in every project. Racing was a family affair – they did everything together and it was amazing and rare. Ron was truly a special, memorable man who made a difference in the lives of his family every day.

Professionally, after working as an Iron worker for 15 years – he worked at Pagasus Hobbies for 13 years for his friend, Tom. Ron's son, Dalton, now works at Pegasus Hobbies. Ron also worked at Suspension Unlimited for six years and he has worked for the past seven years at Funco Motor Sports as a Service Manager. Ron was close to the Funco family, especially the owner, Gil. Ron looked up to Gil as a father figure. And, he thought the world of Gil's grandchildren: Garrett, Chad and Taylor.

Ron worked hard every day and if anyone asked for help, he never hesitated to help someone else. He wouldn't expect a dime in return – but if you offered him a 12-pack of Diet Pepsi, he might say "yes."

Holidays were very special in the Bechard family. For Thanksgiving, the family went to Glamis for a week of camping and riding dune buggies. Holli made a turkey in the oven or they'd bake it with friends in the ground. There'd be 14 trailers and 80 people for Thanksgiving. The desert community was amazing and it is family. Christmas was always spent with the immediate family at home, putting up a tree, decorating the house, and Santa Claus came to visit the kids every year. Sometimes, Ron would tell Holli that it would be a low-budget Christmas and everyone knew that was a joke. They'd have two-hour sessions of opening presents. Ron wanted every moment with his family to be memorable and he delivered on that goal.

Ron inspired the next generation, too. He took his nephews, Trevor and Riley, racing regularly. He taught Dalton how to drive a racecar and how to shift. He had confidence in Dalton's abilities. He said everything else is fixable – as long as you're okay. He never worried about the equipment – with his talents, he could always do a repair. Safety always came first to Ron.

With many favorites in life, Ron loved the Steer 'N Stein Steakhouse and Sizzler – but his favorite meals were Holli's Southern Home cooking. He liked eating Cinnamon twists and his favorite drink was Diet Pepsi. He liked to laugh, had a good sense of humor and enjoyed to play practical jokes on friends and family. When he used his iPhone – he got mixed up and took pictures and videos of himself and he left funny voicemails for Holli sometimes. He enjoyed his dogs – Bear, Lucy and Princess – but he was the closest to Princess because she reminded him of a lap dog his dad had. He loved watching races and NASCAR on television. And, he loved going on adventures to Home Depot – where he and Dalton found a bargain buy last Friday night – the night before his final race.

Ron's favorite thing to do every day was to call Holli – incessantly. He loved talking to her, hearing her voice and he told her "I love you" all the time. He liked bringing her a single rose just so she knew he was thinking of her. He missed Holli so much when she traveled to Chicago for work and he couldn't wait for her to get home again.

Holli was Ron's rock in life – she handled everything. She made Ron's world special and he showed her respect. They really leaned on each other over the last 22 years...

In June, Ron attended Dalton's high school graduation. He was so very proud of his children. Ron's family was the best part of his life – he could have the worst day in the world, but as long as he came home to his family, he was happy.

Ron's passion in life was racing. Over the years, he had RC planes, boats and cars – he had dirt bikes, go-carts, bicycles and racecars. He'd get up early to work on his buggies and racecars. He got an old Mickey Thompson, a race buggy from Funco. He built it on a budget and he raced it. He built that single seat off-road buggy, did his best to keep it looking old school, but kept it safe and in new school performance. The car was perfect. He was at the top of his game and he finished the work on his last car.

In the end – Ron was doing what he loved by talking to his wife and taking part in the Freedom 250 night race. He was passing cars, waving to the volunteers, and he was enjoying every minute of the race. Around the eighth-mile marker, he was talking to Holli on the two-way radio. He told her, "Love you...having a great time..." After a few brief contacts after that, there were no more radio communications. It took many off-roaders and the Sheriff's helicopter to locate Ron. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all of the people who rallied to bring Ron home again...

We would like everyone to be comforted in that Ron was enjoying himself, he passed immediately, and he did not suffer. Everyone should be at peace...

When you look back over Ron's life journey, he accomplished so much in a short period of time. He gave love and he was loved. He lived for his family and his passions, and in the end...he was surrounded by both. One person wrote on the Race-Dezert website: "Few get to end the race of life in their race car, where they love to be. Rest in Peace." And, that's so true.

Ron's purpose in life was to be a good son, brother, husband, father and uncle. He was so smart. He will be remembered as a loving, respectful man with a big heart. He had lots of friends and everybody remembers him. There have been more than 9,000 views on the Race-Dezert website since his unexpected passing. The entire racing community has been hit hard by Ron's death but the tributes are coming in with a constant stream of love for him and his family.

Two weeks ago, a friend of Holli's died unexpectedly and she talked to Ron about it. Ron told her, "You can't say we haven't done everything we wanted to do. I've had you and these kids... and I'm complete." Holli says the last 22 years with Ron was a joy ride through the decades...

His family will miss his voice, his coming home every day, and being in the garage every weekend. His advice would be to move forward, enjoy your family, live life, make sure Holli is happy, continue on with what our family does, and remember "You are your children's memories." His family believes that Ron went out happy in life...

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Ron Sr. He is loved and remembered by his mother Janet; his wife Holli; his son Dalton; his daughter Skylar; his brother Steve; his sister Doreen; in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family; his desert community and many friends.