Ronald “Ron” Harold Lance
Ronald “Ron” Harold Lance passed away on September 30, 2024. Born August 29th, 1930 in Los Angeles, CA, Ron was the son of Harold Lesley Lance and Elizabeth “Betty” Lance (n. Pritchett) and the brother of older sister, Joanne. Ron’s early life was challenged by the death of his father when Ron was just two years old, and this, along with the Great Depression created a difficult landscape to grow up in. His mother, though, was a force of nature, and she worked hard as a public school teacher to provide for her children.
After graduating from Eagle Rock High School and attending Pasadena City College, Ron joined the Naval Air Corp. He was trained as a mechanic and was deployed in the Pacific during the Korean War on the USS Oriskany and the USS Kearsage, servicing planes returning from combat missions. While the work was difficult, one of the silver linings was time he got to spend with his sister who was teaching children of military families in Yokosuka, Japan.
After his honorable discharge, Ron worked for Douglas AirCraft in Los Angeles and later in England, installing missile bases as part of a government contract during the Cold War. He had very fond memories of this time, hanging out in pubs playing chess, driving an Austin-Healey convertible along winding British roads, skiing in the Swiss Alps, and acquiring his faithful dog, a boxer named Thor.
Ron returned to the States in 1960, and met Janice “Jan” Clark at a church social for young people. They were married in Pasadena in January 1961, and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2024.
The couple spent their first years in Santa Maria, California while Ron worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Their son, Greg, and daughter, Suzy, were both born in Santa Maria, then in 1964 the family relocated to Santa Barbara, where Ron and his brother-in-law Roger Clark went into business together, purchasing Learned Hardware on upper State Street. Ten years later, Ron became the sole owner.
Long term residents of Santa Barbara have fond memories of this “mom and pop” store (Jan worked there too!) where you could actually buy a single screw, get help with fixing a leaky faucet or a broken lamp, and stand around for a while after your purchase and shoot the breeze with Ron, which he loved to do! The perpetual ladder sale that was on display on the sidewalk outside the store was a local landmark, and one of Ron’s favorite memories of the store was the day the Olympic torch passed in front while he cheered them on and waved a flag.
Ron was always a big sports fan, attending the Athletic Roundtable at Harry’s Plaza Cafe during rare lunch breaks from the store, Greg’s Pee Wee League baseball games across the street at MacKenzie Park, and Suzy’s tennis matches. He taught his kids to ski, and they have fond memories of winter trips to Mammoth Mountain. Jan and Ron for many years were regular attendees at UCSB basketball games. He and Jan loved to watch the Dodgers, and Ron was a die-hard Trojans football fan.
Ron sold the store and retired in 1992. He and Jan traveled the world, going on river cruises around the US and Europe, taking road trips in England and Scotland, visiting ports of call around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Latin America. Ron loved spending time with their grandchildren, Tyler, Melissa, and Anya, who recall the giant pumpkins grandpa grew and which they would help harvest on the hillside behind the house on Ontare Road, where Ron also loved to tend a small orchard of avocado and citrus trees .
In 2009 Ron and Jan moved to Valle Verde Retirement Community where Ron enjoyed many friends and activities. The family would like to express appreciation and many thanks to the team in the Skilled Nursing Facility where Ron was cared for at the end of his life.
Ron is survived by his wife, Janice, son, Greg (Ashia), daughter, Suzy (Steve), grandson, Tyler (Emy), and granddaughters, Melissa and Anya. The family will be holding a private memorial.