Ronny Arbuckle

RONNY ARBUCKLE

James Ronald Arbuckle (Ronny) was a true product of Elgin, Texas.  He was born on March 3, 1936 to Wallace and Nancy Burleson Arbuckle and he lived in Elgin all of his life.  He died on March 15, 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 virus.  He graduated from Elgin High School in 1954 where he participated in every sport that was offered at that time.  He received a 4-sports scholarship from Texas Lutheran College and he played on various athletic teams around Central Texas.  He was in partnership with his dad Wallace and brother W.E. Arbuckle in Arbuckle Oil Company for over 36 years.

In 1958 he married Sydna Davis and they would have celebrated their 63 ^rd anniversary in July of 2021.  He was very active in civic affairs of Elgin, being a former volunteer fireman, a 50+ year member of the Elgin Masonic lodge, a past director of the Chamber of Commerce, he was a coach for youth baseball, and he was on the school board for several terms and served as President.  He was always present at his daughter Ronda’s piano and vocal recitals and he never missed an athletic event that his son Roger was participating in.

He was a member of Riverbend Church of Austin and retirement gave him time to devote attention to his 5 grandchildren.  He followed his only granddaughter with her high school and college endeavors and he was present for many band shows that one grandson was in with his high school and college band performances.  Three other grandsons moved from Elgin to the Panhandle of Texas and these boys were athletes.  Ronny wanted to follow these boys and he drove every week during football season 504 miles for 6 years to follow these athletes.  It was figured that the Ronny Arbuckles traveled over 137,000 miles to watch these boys play ball in high school and college.  He was able to attend college graduation ceremonies for all 5 of the grandchildren, each at different colleges.

Elgin recognized his love of athletics.  One year he was voted the biggest Wildcat supporter, in 2019 he was a member of the initial Hall of Honor athletes of Elgin High School and in 2020 he gave the speech of the baseball dedication wall of the Elgin Recreation Center.   The Elgin A’s baseball uniform shirt that he wore when he played on that field is a permanent part of that display.

He is survived by his wife, Sydna, his daughter Ronda Kirk and husband Carl of Waco and his son Roger and wife Kathleen of Midland.  Grandchildren are Courtney Kirk Stewart and husband Charles of Waco; Colby Kirk of Waco; Randall Arbuckle and wife Jennifer of Wichita Falls; Aaron Arbuckle and wife Molly of Elgin and Ben Arbuckle and wife Lauren of Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Great-grandchildren are Charlotte, Bradley, Madeline and Brooks Arbuckle of Elgin and Natalie Stewart of Waco.

Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers with burial on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elgin Cemetery.