Royal, Ronald Lee
Ronald Lee Royal, 67, of Jonesville, Va., passed away at his residence on May 25, 2007. He was born to Wallace and Velma Royal, on July 19, 1939, in Pulaski, Va. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1958. In 1962, he graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in math and physics. He then taught at Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, Md., until he was awarded a fellowship from the National Science Foundation to attend the University of Georgia to do graduate work in physics.
After completing his master’s degree he taught physics and science at Clearwater High School in Pinellas County, Florida, until his retirement in 1996. A diabetic since the age of 12, Mr. Royal received the Joslin and Lily medals for 50 years of insulin use, in 2002. In 1969 he became legally blind from diabetic retinopathy. In spite of this handicap he taught physics and science at Clearwater High School for 28 years. Because he lived most of his life with diabetes and its consequences, he requested that his body go to the State Anatomical Society.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Royal; stepfather, Cletis Bowman and niece, Cara Shepherd. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Sprinkle Royal of Jonesville, Va., his former wife, Bonnie Quesenberry Royal of Clearwater, Fla.; three children, Michael Royal and wife, Susan of Terra Cia, Fla., Dana O’Farrell and husband, Ken of Orange Beach, Ala. and Philip Royal and wife, Teresa of Citrus Springs, Fla.; three stepchildren, Charles Sprinkle and wife, Brenda of Jonesville, Va., Richard Sprinkle and wife, Monique of Jonesville, Va. and Elizabeth Sprinkle of Jonesville, Va.; his mother, Velma Bowman of New Windsor, Md.; grandchildren, Brett Royal, Colette Royal, Nicholas O’Farrell, Alexandra Sprinkle, Bailey Sprinkle, Charlie Sprinkle and Jacob Sprinkle; sister and brother-in-Law, Jeanne and John Laudermilch of New Windsor, Md.; uncle, Fred Royal of Christiansburg, Va.; mother-in-law, Lois Ferguson of Salem, Va.; stepsister, Ann O’Connell and husband, Jim of Ellicott City, Md.; stepbrother, Jim Bowman and wife, Sue of Framingham, Mass.; sisters-in-law, Ginny Esson of Lady Lake, Fla., Anna Ritter of Salem, Va., Martha Richards and husband, Danny of Salem, Va. and Anita McCauley and husband, Wayne of Ashland, Va.; brothers-in-law, Joe Quesenberry and wife, Lois of Hagerstown, Md. and Mike Ferguson of Roanoke, Va. and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on June 16, 2007, at the Jonesville United Methodist Church, where he was an active member. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the church. Online condolences can be made to the family at arney-mullinsfuneralhomes.com.
December 31, 2022 @ 12:43 am
Mr. Royal was one of my most respected teachers. He taught my Physics classes at CHS in 1984-85. I even used his advice on some Physics topics later in college level courses. I thought he really enjoyed helping me with those more complex problems. I became a Mechanical Engineer and I don’t discount his input to help me in that career path decision. I’m very very late in acknowledging but I only now read of his passing. My condolences to his family. Thank you for all of your counsel, Mr. Royal.