Ronald Jean Shows

Ronald Jean Shows died Wednesday, May 25, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Hamilton and Bessie Shows, siblings Myrtice Gorum, Jenelle Boutwell, Marguerite Sewell, Ben Shows and Dr. Bobby L. Shows. Ron was born September 18, 1937 in Red Level, Alabama and grew up in Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wynnell Jones Shows, children Dr. Ronald Jeffrey Shows, Laura Shows Gibson, Lee Padgett and her husband, Patrick Padgett, grandchildren, John Lucas Shows, Jackson Payne Gibson, Ronald Jonah Shows, Emma Katherine Shows, Rachel Wyman Shows, David Daniel Shows, Lively Jones Padgett and Andrew James Shows and numerous loving nephews and nieces. Ron graduated Pensacola High School in 1955 and from Florida State University in 1964 with a degree in chemistry. His career began at Columbia National Corporation in Pensacola, Florida through retirement from Celanese Corporation in Chester, South Carolina in 1998. Ron enjoyed sailing, gardening, travel, Little Theatre (acting roles with the Piedmont Players in Salisbury, N. C. and Florence Little Theatre included "Starbuck" in "The Rainmaker", "Cap'n Andy" in "Showboat" and Charlie in "Shenandoah") music and genealogy. His research of the Shows genealogy culminated with publishing a book of the family history immigrating from Germany in the late 1700's. He traveled to the very site of the family home in Germany. Ron was a soloist with the Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church, Pensacola and participated in a European Choir Tour in 2002 with the choir and orchestra that included concerts at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, Notre Dame in Paris, France, Normandy, France, and the Vatican in Italy. He served as a deacon at Pensacola First Baptist Church, Pensacola. Ron was captain of the 1955 Pensacola Tigers Baseball Team and his catching and hitting talents impressed scouts from the Brooklyn Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. He participated in Spring Training at Vero Beach, Florida in 1956 with the famous 1955 world series winner Brooklyn Dodgers Team. He trained with the 1957 St. Louis Cardinals organization in Albany, Georgia. Ron leaves a legacy of love and devotion for his family, his country, and many treasured friends. He will be remembered as a man of physical strength, unyielding Christian principles and above all a loving husband. The family would like to thank Dr. David Nix and his excellent staff, Dr. Robert J. McCammon, Dr. Rosh Kedar and Dr. Nat Edwards as well as the staff at Covenant Community Hospice Center, India Hook Road for the comfort and medical expertise extended to Ron in fighting and treating lung cancer. Memorials made be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, 500 Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida. Covenant Community Hospice Care Center or The American Cancer Society. A special celebration of Ron's life is planned for Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the home of Dr. Doug Hughes, 510 Silver Lane, Rock Hill, South Carolina at 6:00 p.m. A celebration in Pensacola, Florida is planned for later this summer. Online condolences may be registered at www.basscares.com.