In Memory of Ron Wong

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of Ron’s Celebration of Life, focusing on his love of fishing and his abilities as an outdoors communicator.

So, where do I start?

Now, I am still devasted by Ron’s passing.

I can't tell you how many calls, texts and emails I have received since Peanut texted me late that Monday night with the news that Ron had passed.

We were, as we like to say on the radio, brothers by another mother for more than three decades, not just on the radio but as friends.

He had been an anchor for Outdoors with Larry Rea, a twice a month co-host who was always willing to fill the gap.

It was only fitting that Ron's final two segments on Outdoors with Larry Rea came via the telephone when we interviewed Ott DeFoe and Mark Davis about Major League Fishing's 2025 Redcrest Championship. He didn't feel well, but you could tell he loved to talk fishing.

Ott is one of more than 100 who have sent texts expressing the loss that all of us feel with Ron's unexpected passing.

Here are some of those texts:

Les Smith, Crappie Compound: “Larry, so sorry about Ron. Just wanted to say prayers my friend. God opened the gates real wide for a giant of a man.”

Garry Mason, Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame: “So sorry to hear about Ron Wong’s death. I met him over 40 years ago at a Memphis boat show. Always had a big smile and I embraced him.”

On a side note, Garry has proposed a crappie and bluegill tournament on Reelfoot Lake known as The Ron Wong Memorial with a pro side and amateur side. “Ron’s legacy,” Garry said, “is so alive and we should keep it that way.”

Chris Park, TWRA: “Hey, Mr. Larry. This is Chris Park with TWRA. Just wanted to send my condolences. I know Ron was a great friend of yours. He was a great man and our community lost a great man. The outdoors lost a legend and he will sure be missed.”

Tom Brewbaker, Rather Outdoors: “Larry, heard about Ron. So sorry, man. Huge loss for so many and this entire industry. Fishing lost one of its best.”

Terri White, Lindsey’s Resort on Arkansas’ Little Red River: “I can’t believe it. I am so sorry. You will continue in our prayers. We all loved Ron. He will be missed by so many.”

One thing about Ron, he was dependable. Sometimes stubborn, but dependable.

I could always count on Ron when I needed a guest from the fishing world on Outdoors with Larry Rea. More than likely he had photos of the guests, too, photos that he had taken. He was a master photographer, which surprisingly learned from Debbie that he didn’t pick up photography until after he retired from FedEx.

Another of our connections was that both of us played in our college bands, me as a trumpet player at the University of Arkansas, and Ron playing the saxophone at what was then Memphis State.

I am so glad that Ron earlier this year learned that he would be inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame in August in Springfield, Mo. I'm so glad Garry Mason told Ron of this honor before he passed. I remember him saying how 'humbled' he was to join the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.

In 2024 Ron was named the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame’s official photographer.

You can count on me and Miriam being in Springfield for Ron's induction. I imagine several Wongs and relatives will be there, too. Afterall, he always told me there were more Wongs in the world than Smiths.

Did I tell you Ron was a giving person?

That’s especially true when it came to fishing shirts.

I counted 13 fishing shirts hanging in my closet that Ron had given me over the years, including this one that always brings out comments when I go into the local library (Fish Monkey). He loved to give.

One of our friends, Kent Driscoll of B ‘n M Poles, mentioned to me that he was looking for photos of Ron, but all he could find was photos Ron had taken of Kent. That's Ron Wong, right there.

Speaking of B ‘n M, I had lunch with 15 members of the B ‘n M family before today’s Celebration of Life for Ron and was told of something special B ‘n M Poles is doing in Ron’s honor.

Kent Driscoll come up and introduce Madalyn Roberts who can tell us more about this special, special salute to Ron. The B ‘n M Poles  Ron Wong Foundation to get more women involved in fishing.

Thanks, Madalyn and Kent. Ron loved B ‘n M. But then, he loved to be around people.

One more thing that I’ve got to mention about Ron and fishing.

No one. No, not one, could do a fishing report like Ron. No notes. All off the top of his head. Just Ron taking us on a five-minute fishing trip through the Mid-South twice a month on Outdoors with Larry Rea.

So glad Ron Olson could be a part of this salute to Ron. Since Ron is a legendary radio person in the Mid-South, I’d like to ask that if five people in today’s crowd would listen to my radio show Saturday morning it would double my ratings.

(Later, Ron Olson said that was the best line of the day).

To better understand Ron Wong, I’ve got to show another side that maybe some folks didn’t know.

He was part of the Prayer Team during my two-year journey with cancer. He would text me every day saying he was praying for me and that God would get me through this.

Thanks to Ron and several others we didn’t miss a radio show during my entire cancer treatment.
As of today, I am cancer free.

Yes, I get tears thinking about Ron and our friendship. He loved the Ole Miss Rebels, and he knew I loved the Arkansas Razorbacks. But most of all, he loved me pure and simple and I am a better person for that love.

RIP, my friend, Ron Wong. Gone, but never forgotten.