Ronald Blye

Ronald Jerome Blye died peacefully at home with his family by his side on December 28, 2016 in Shoreline, Washington. He was 74 years old. He was born on December 29, 1941 in Clearwater, Florida to Ernest Jerome Bliey and Veleta Constance Sims. He was a rare native Floridian and no matter where he lived in the country, he always considered Clearwater home. He attended Pinellas High School, but graduated from Tilden High in Brooklyn, NY. Ronnie was a gifted athlete and was heavily recruited by many colleges and universities as one of the premier running backs in the country. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and subsequently played professional football for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. Ronnie married his high school sweetheart Harriette Williams on July 4, 1963. Anyone who knew Ronnie would tell you that he loved and cared for people. That concern for others propelled him into a post football career in community relations and urban development. He would eventually transition into sales, in pursuit of achieving his dream of owning a car dealership. In his later years, he turned his attention to his spirituality and was d...[more]

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cated and baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on November 7, 2009. Ronnie zealously spent time in the ministry before illness slowed him down. Ronnie is survived by his wife Harriette; daughters Ronda and Ronica (Matthew); grandchildren Levi, Malora and Susannah; his brothers Ernest and Herndon; his sisters Veronica, Nevada, Sheila, Sandra, Donna Loretta, Marsha and Susan. He was predeceased by his daughter Roni, his parents, and his brother, Carl. A memorial will be held at 2pm on January 21, 2017 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1745 Weston Drive, Clearwater, Florida. A repass will follow at 3pm at the MLK Community Center, 1201 Douglas Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to help in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia at alz.org or call 1.800.272.3900. Words of comfort may be expressed for Ronald Blye's family by clicking on the Tributes tab just below their name.