Ronald Michael "Ron" Ness' Obituary
Ronald Michael Ness of Mandeville, Louisiana, passed away on October 5, 2024, at the age of 79. Ron was born to Gerald Gordon Ness and Virginia Alice Kaufenberg in Park Rapids, Minnesota, on June 24, 1945, the first of eight children. He moved with his family to Harahan, Louisiana, while he was in elementary school and spent the rest of his life in Louisiana. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Corinne Helm Ness.
After graduating from De La Salle High School, and in order to earn tuition money for college, Ron worked on the Great Northern Railroad out of St. Paul Minnesota as a third cook and a waiter. He then went on to LSU where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Ron began his career at Chevron, earning an MBA from Loyola University during that time. He then moved into sales and marketing in the oil industry working for Marine Rubber. At the age of 42 Ron went to Loyola Law School and, upon graduation, he and two good friends and fellow engineers founded Matrix Oil and Gas Inc., an independent exploration and production company. When Matrix was sold 10 years later, Ron and several of the partners joined together to form Tammany Oil and Gas.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn Hoehle, and his brother-in-law, Robert Helm. He is survived by his siblings Rick Ness (Judy), Jim Ness, Jack Ness (Diane), Mark Ness (Karen), Lisa Ness (Lisa), Jane Cahill (Pete), his brothers-in-law Chad Helm, Michael Helm (Kellie), and William Helm (Elizabeth) and his sister-in-law Suzanne Edwards (Kevin). He is also survived by his aunts and a host of nieces and nephews whom he cherished. Ron loved to play tennis, travel, was an avid reader and a fan of the public library, a huge sports fan and loved everything LSU. He was a gentle, kind, sweet man and will be truly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass at Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Mandeville at noon on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Mary, Queen of Peace Church (masses preferred) or the charity of your choice.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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