Ronald Joseph Thessing

Ronald Joseph Thessing, 65, of Conway, passed away from complications of cancer at the VA Hospice on July 31, 2013. He was born October 20, 1947, in Conway, to the late J.C. Thessing and Nita Jean Treadway Thessing. Ron was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepmother (Audrey Thessing), sister, Glenda (Sissy) Thessing, and brother, Norris Lee Thessing Sr. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Schools graduating 1965. He developed many life-long friendships throughout his years at St. Josephs. As a teenager, Ronnie enjoyed working at the family business, Thessing Grocery. He then attended State Teachers College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1967. He was certified as a Hawk Radar Operator and served during the Vietnam War. After serving his country, he worked as the assistant manager at the Farmers Co-op in Conway, studied cabinet making and worked with Jerry Graddy (his life-long friend) at Graddy Woodworks, worked at Nabholz Custom Mill, and eventually opened his own business, Thessing Custom Cabinets. He recently retired from Camp Robinson where he has worked for the past 13 years as a Skilled Carpenter. Ron enjoyed visiting his beloved deer camp at Nogo, Arkansas. He considered this his heaven on earth, and he was the heart and soul of the Strack-Nabholz Deer Camp. Ron leaves behind his loving wife, Phyllis Hanson Thessing of 42 years; daughters, Nicole Barlow (Steve) of Conway and Andrea Sutterfield (Adam) of Greenbrier; sons, Heath Thessing of Conway, Scott Thessing (Kelly) of Russellville, and Bart Thessing (Katy) of Greenbrier. He was the proud grandpa of; Carter and Griffin Thessing, Spencer and Karlee Sutterfield, Marleigh and Braxton Thessing, Kinley and Luke Thessing, and Betsy and Olivia Bartlett. He is also survived by his sister, Gail Strack (Marty), sister-in-law, Sharon Thessing; and step-brothers, Jerry Bishop, Terry Bishop, and Alan Alvey. He was blessed with many friends and relatives. The visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 4, at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, with the Rosary 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., on Monday, August 5, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Burial will take place at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at Arkansas Veterans' Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark. Memorials can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Schools Endowment (P.O. Box 1709, Conway, Arkansas 72033), Life Choices INC (P.O. Box 1345, Conway, Ark. 72033), or Little Rock VA Hospice Condolences may be left online at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.