Ronald Edward Tindall, of Catawba Island Township, Port Clinton, Ohio, passed away on December 6, 2018. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 4, 1933. He was preceded in death by his parents Byron and Mary Tindall and brother Kenneth Tindall.
Ron started his long career in broadcasting as a child actor at WJR Radio in Detroit. He was an actor in the nationally syndicated radio show the “Lone Ranger”. He was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and at that time, Jack Benny was the president of the union.
He often joked that as a child he was making more money than his parents. Ron attended Wayne State University in Detroit majoring in broadcasting. While in college, he would help host a radio show that would feature many prominent African American Churches in Detroit with the “gospel hour”.
On one Sunday evening, they were broadcasting from the Reverend Franklin’s church and Ron introduced Reverend Franklin’s little daughter Aretha Franklin – who ended up having a very successful singing career in her own right. Ron will be remembered in Toledo as hosting the popular radio show “Ask Your Neighbor” on WSPD radio. Ron and his producer Andi Roman became very good friends over the years and he was the MC at their wedding when she married Greg Tye.
In the 1980’s, Ron also owned the popular bar / café the Centre Court Lounge. It was a wonderful neighborhood hangout and Ron made everyone feel at home. Ron also loved to visit the Sunshine Children’s Home and share his many funny stories with the residents and staff.
It is often said residents would wait at the front door to greet him. He made them all feel like very special people. Ron also had a great love of animals and would attend and participate in dog shows.
Later in Ron’s career, he narrated many of the popular “Toledo Stories” on PBS. The stories are still being re broadcast and you will hear his familiar voice on the Toledo Stories about the former Tiedtke’s Department store in downtown Toledo and also the impressive theatres that were located in Toledo. Ron enjoyed his retirement on Catawba Island and traveling in his motorhome.
He met some special friends on Catawba Island – Hector Loera and Lee Hitchings who were neighbors of his at the Lake. They would often visit and listen to his wonderful stories or take him on a boat ride over to Put In Bay or Kelley’s Island. Ron will be sadly missed by his dear friends.
He was a special person and what many remember as a “Local Celebrity”. This summer there will be a Celebration of Life remembrance at the Mon Ami Winery and Restaurant, 3445 East Wine Cellar Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 on Sunday June 9, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memorials in Ron’s name can be made to the Sunshine Children’s Home, 2361 Ragan Woods Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43614.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
