Ronald Wayne Johnsrud

Ron Johnsrud lost his battle with cancer on March 21, 2022. He was born to Winton Odien Johnsrud and M. Marjorie Russell Johnsrud on July 18, 1950 in Bend, Oregon. He spent his childhood in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Milwaukee High School in 1968. He attended Pacific Lutheran University and Portland State University before enlisting in the US Air Force in June, 1970. His Air Force career spanned 11 years, and he served as a medical services specialist, technical training instructor, and mental health unit technician, much of which was at Elmendorf Hospital at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. He was awarded a longevity service award ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, a good conduct medal with two oak leaf clusters, and a national defense service medal. He was honorably discharged in August, 1981.In April, 1971 he married Connie Slonecker. Ron and Connie had two children, Johnna and James. They divorced in May, 1981. In late 1981, Ron was introduced to Cristy Stevens in Anchorage by his cousin Carolynn Anderson who was traveling with Cristy. Ron and Cristy married on June 12, 1982, in Lincoln, Nebraska. They then relocated to Gainesville, Florida where Cristy began her PhD studies at the University of Florida. Ron also enrolled at UF and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in anthropology with a focus on education. Ron worked for a time as an instructor/tutor at the Sylvan Learning Center in Gainesville, and then was hired by Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College) to teach
sociology. While at LCCC, Ron volunteered his skills as a TV camera operator in the audiovisual department, and later moved into academic advising where he worked for a number of years. He loved assisting students who were often the first in their families to go to college, and helped them understand and navigate the college educational requirements and environment. Ron set up a scholarship fund in honor of his father, Winton O. Johnsrud, to fund a semester of classes for qualified students pursuing a degree in accounting. Over the years, the fund has grown, and a significant number of students have benefited from the scholarships. Ron was well liked and had a large circle of friends in the Gainesville area. He loved to regale friends and acquaintances with stories of hunting, fishing, sled dog racing, camping, and wilderness life in Alaska. He enjoyed playing golf for many years, was a good bridge player, and spent years breeding and showing Australian Shepherd dogs. He was generous, kind hearted, had a strong sense of humor, and was a good listener to anyone needing a helping hand or emotional counseling. He is survived by his wife Cristy of High Springs, FL, a brother, David Johnsrud of Orland, CA., a sister, Janna Hunt, of Anchorage, AK, a sister-in-law, Danna Stevens of Lincoln, NE, a brother-in-law, David Bernard-Stevens (Ruth), of rural Kenya, a mother-in-law, Dorothy Thompson of Lincoln, NE, a niece,
Laura Hunt Johnson (Curtis) of Guysville, OH, a nephew, Matthew Hunt of Anchorage, AK, nephews, David A. Bernard-Stevens (Sarah) of Hastings, NE, and Matthew Bernard-Stevens (Shayda) of Gainesville, FL, his former wife Connie Higgins and a son, James Higgins. He is predeceased by a niece, Kristy Hunt, and daughter, Johna Webb. A Celebration of Life event is currently being planned to be held in Gainesville, FL, in May.