In Memory of
Ronald Paul Folkes
December 4, 1961 - March 7, 2016

Ronald "Ron" Paul Folkes was born on December 4, 1961 in Del Rio, Texas to James Paul Folkes and Carolyn Boulmay Folkes. He died on March 7, 2016 in Plano, Texas as a result of injuries sustained in a skydiving accident.

Ron grew up in Garland and Carrollton, Texas. He graduated from R.L. Turner High School in 1980 and from North Texas State University in 1984.

A software engineer his entire 31-year career, Ron worked at Harris Corp., Pencom Systems Inc., Convex Computer Corp., Pinpoint Communications Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Chiaro Networks, Fujitsu Network Communications, Juniper Networks, and Microsoft. He was an inventor or co-inventor on several patents. He was an excellent engineer and highly regarded by his peers.

Ron's gentle demeanor hid a passion for challenging sports: flying, running, hang gliding, wind surfing, biking, scuba, and especially skydiving. Ron got serious about the sport in 2012, earning his USPA A license in 2013 and continuing through to his D license in 2015. Ron logged over 650 jumps.

In his more relaxed moments, Ron enjoyed travel, good food, dark chocolate, red wine, IPA beer, alternative and electronic music, genealogy, vintage Ford Thunderbirds, his cats, and his Addison home. He was a loving husband, a devoted son, a fun-loving brother, a playful uncle, and an easy-going friend.

Ron is survived by his wife of 29 years, Laura Whitmire; his mother, Carolyn Folkes; and his brother, Tom Folkes.

A memorial service for Ron is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 2PM-3PM at the Metrocrest Funeral Home, 1810 North Perry Road, Carrollton Texas 75006, phone number (972) 242-3646.

A second memorial service, an Ash Dive where Ron's ashes are released during a group skydive at the Skydive Dallas drop zone, will be scheduled in the coming weeks to celebrate Ron's life and love of skydiving.