MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
FRANKLIN —
Ronald W. Smith Jr., 49, a resident of 307 Adams St., Franklin, and known to many as Froggy-FM radio station’s on-air announcer “James Pond,” was pronounced dead at 5:43 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, shortly after his arrival in the emergency department of UPMC-Northwest, Seneca. Mr. Smith had suffered an apparent massive heart attack prior in his home.
He was born Oct. 18, 1960, in Butler, a beloved son of Ronald W. Smith Sr. and the late Marian A. Kontos Smith.
Ron attended and graduated from Franklin High School in 1979.
He was a member of St. John Episcopal Church in Franklin, where he served as a former accolade and master of ceremonies in his early years during services in the church.
Radio was truly in Ron’s blood, and he was fascinated by music and radio since he was a young boy. His lifelong dream was to form a career in radio broadcasting. He achieved his dream; and then some.
Ron’s vast and determined career in radio spanned more than three decades. He began by working as a youth at Venango Video of Franklin in the control room; and from time to time had taken to the mic as a guest on-air announcer. When the opportunity presented itself, he took a job with Franklin radio station’s WFRA and WVEN, where he was known to his listeners as “Radio Ron.” He was a familiar voice at Miller’s Seneca Roller Rink, spinning the skaters’ favorite tunes; and was a much sought after weekend DJ at the Days Inn of Clarion.
The more he worked in broadcasting, the greater his passion became. Ron was instrumental in starting the broadcasting of the local area’s Friday night high school football seasons while working with WWCH and C93 of Clarion. Ron’s “Friday Night Football” continues on to this day; and remains, after many years on the air, among the most tuned-in radio programs, heard on nearly all of our area’s local radio stations.
He had worked in Punxsutawney with the Renda Radio Group, and was instrumental locally in the operation and set-up of the current WKQW-FM Radio Station in Oil City, where he also had served as the station’s former program director and on-air announcer.
Presently, Ron was program director and fondly known to many throughout the local broadcasting area as the popular “James Pond” at Forever Broadcasting’s Froggy-FM. He always appreciated his popularity and acceptance in the area’s country music scene by the station’s die-hard and loyal listeners.
Aside from radio, Ron still found time to help others.
He had served as former vice president as well as president of the Clarion Area Chamber of Commerce. His quiet love of children was unmatched. He was actively involved “making dreams come true” for many of our area’s desperately ill children alongside the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Ron was looked upon and admired as an icon by the participants, both young and old, participating in the Special Olympics. Ron looked forward each year with childlike enthusiasm for the Special Olympics’ “Redneck Games.” It was very difficult at the conclusion of the games, both for Ron and for the athletes who befriended him. He assured each of them, though, that “he would be back next year — but would always be there for them whenever they needed him, and would always be their unconditional friend.”
His professionalism and character, both on and off-air, will always be remembered. His presence as a human being will be deeply missed by all who had come to know him.
On July 7, 2006, he was married in Fountain Park in Franklin, to the former Brenda S. Gilmore, who survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a stepson, Shawn M. Walker and his wife, Megan, of Rocky Grove; a stepdaughter, Heidi R. Haun and her husband, John, of Franklin; and the pride and joy of his life, his stepgranddaughter, Megan R. Haun. Also surviving is his father, Ronald W. Smith Sr., a resident of The Caring Place of Franklin; two brothers, Roger D. Williams and his wife, Cindy, and Jeffrey B. Smith, all of Franklin; his nieces, Traci Williams of Oil City and Kayleigh Gilmore of Rocky Grove; and by his beloved Bischon Poodle, Teddy.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marian A. Smith, on June 4, 2010.
Friends may call Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk St., Franklin.
Family and friends are invited to attend The Burial Office which will be celebrated Tuesday at 3 p.m. in St. John Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo St., Franklin, with the Rev. Holly A. Davis, rector, officiating.
Service of committal will follow in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be directed in Ron’s name to either: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, The Gulf Tower, 707 Grant St., 37th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219-1916; Special Olympics of Venango/Forest Counties, c/o Jan Porter, PO Box 94, Polk, Pa. 16342; or to the American Heart Association, 174 E. Bissell Ave., Oil City, Pa. 16301.
