One of the greatest men I've ever known, and the best uncle in the world. I will forever miss him...

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Ronald Bradford Fayard, 64, of Bossier City went home to be with our Lord on Monday, March 7, 2011, after a long illness. As he parted this life, his wife, Joanne and daughter, Amanda held his hands. Born on October 1, 1946 at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS Ron will be remembered as "Mr. Personality" for his vivacious spirit and for his civic leadership. He was no doubt, larger than life and as his wife says: the tallest man I ever knew. Ron was a committed family man who devoted himself to spoiling his wife and daughter and ultimately his son-in-law and grandchildren.

Ron was a REALTOR and local business owner for over 35 years. He was honored to enjoy the professional respect of his peers throughout his business career and was named REALTOR OF THE YEAR in 2001. He was also very active on the state and national level in real estate lobbying efforts. Ron served as President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, twice President of the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, was a past member of the Committee of 100, Barksdale Forward, The Eighth Air Force Consultation Committee, the Bossier Levee Board, the Cypress-Black Bayou Waterways Commission, and served as an "Eagle" sponsor for various squadrons at Barksdale Air Force Base. Ron also served on advisory councils at LSU-Shreveport and LSUHSC and served for 10 years on the Board of Directors at Willis Knighton Bossier. Ron served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for over 20 years and participated in many levels of investigations.

Ron was a believer in giving back to the community and was a guest speaker for many junior and high school classrooms as well as Bossier Parish Community College. He gave seminars to civic, professional and sales groups on body language and non-verbal communication. He was a mentor to youth in sponsorship of sports teams including many years of American Legion Baseball. He was also an exemplary mentor to many of his employees and sales associates.

As a Southern sportsman, Ron loved to hunt and go deep-sea fishing and just enjoy in great outdoors of our Creator. Ron was a Christian who walked the walk of a good man. He was a member of the Airline Drive Church of Christ. He was a 1964 graduate of Bossier High School and a 1969 graduate of LSU School of Business. Ron was also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Left to cherish the influence of his life and special memories are his devoted wife of 37 years, Joanne, his treasured daughter, Amanda Fayard Feaster and husband Tim, of New Orleans, his precious grandchildren, Christian, Isabella and Skylar, all who loved "Poppa" immensely; brothers, Rick Fayard and wife Staci of Bossier City, Rob Fayard and wife Kim of Longwood, FL and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was Grrreat Uncle Ron. His nieces especially liked being introduced as his "nieces from Peoria". He is also survived by his father-in-law, Wes Browning, whom he greatly admired. Ron is preceded in death by his mother Marie Browning Fayard. He is also survived by his father, Melvin Fayard.

Ron and Joanne so appreciated the medical community we have here and the dedicated care he has had for many years from so many doctors, nurses, technicians, aides and support staff. It would be impossible to name all those who have been so special and instrumental to Ron's health needs. From the dramatic kidney transplant in 1980 to the final days of his life Ron was treated with great respect and dignity by these committed professionals.

The family will receive visitors at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City on Friday, March 11, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. Celebration of life services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Airline Drive Church of Christ with Ben Brewster officiating. Ron will be laid to rest at Hill Crest Memorial Park.

Honoring Ron as pallbearers will be his nephews Lucas Bradford Fayard, Rob Fayard Jr., Trey Fayard, Erick Fayard, Morgan Fayard, Jonathon Fayard, Rusty Beckham, Corey Harvill, and Summa Stelly. Honorary pallbearers are devoted friends Howard Hamby, Pick Ferrell, Frank Elkins, Tom Myrick, John Whittington, Donnie Peregoy and Bobby Wheeler.

The family requests memorials to Bossier K.I.D.S. Inc., 2125 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111, the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, 8200 Hampson St. Ste. 425, New Orleans, LA 70118 or to the charity of donor's choice.

Published in Shreveport Times from March 10 to March 12, 2011 at this address: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=ronald-bradford-fayard&pid=149165509&fhid=11119