Ernest Ronald Guyton, 70, of Elizabethtown, NC was welcomed by the Saints into Heaven on Monday May 2, 2022. He was preceded in death by his greatly loved parents, Ernest and Vonnie Rae Guyton, Grandparents, James and Mabel Guyton, Stanley and Blanchie White. Also preceding him were dear in- laws, Bonnell Walker, Stephen Walker and his wife Susan.
Ron will be remembered and cherished by a close and loving family. He shared 38 years of his life with his wife, Deborah Walker Guyton. He will be loved and celebrated everyday by their daughter, Izma Guyton Brush, her husband Greg andhis most precious grandchildren, James, Jace, Emery and Dawson, Tristyn, and Trent. Honoring him is his only sister, Anne Guyton Sasser and her husband Mike, their children, Stanley Sasser and his wife Julie and their children Britt and Mollie, Chris Sasser and his wife Natalie and their daughter Finley, Wesley Sasser and his wife Ashley and their children Coley, Copper, Carter, and Mary Grace. His brothers are Larry Guyton and his wife Judy, their daughter Samatha Hatfield and her husband Chris and their children Maysen and Marleigh, Steve Guyton and his wife June, their children Morgan Smith and her husband Kendall and their son, Addison and Michael Guyton. His sister in- law is Pam Tatum and her husband Ed, their children Walker, Winston, Charlotte Martin and her husband Bridger and their son Stephen. He is also survived by his much respected mother- in-law, Dallas Walker. Ron was proud to be a part of the Whiteville Police Department family, and numbered his coworkers as his friends.
Although Ron was raised and spent most of his time in our rural community, he lived a rich, full, adventurous life. He had Bladen County sand between his toes and visions of the world in his head. He attended college in Wilmington and worked as a salvage diver. As a young man, he lived and worked as a scuba diver in St. Croix. He worked at many different jobs, but police work was his career. His great desire was to serve others and try to make the world a better place. He began his rewarding career with the Whiteville Police Department in 1992 and ended his career there as well. Ron particularly enjoyed investigation and detective work. He also served as a police officer with the Elizabethtown Police Department and the Smithfield Foods Special Police. Ron took pride in his communication skills, physical fitness, and marksmanship. He fulfilled his wish to see the world, when he spent 10 years doing police mission work. He worked in Kosovo where he was in charge of a prison and with the Internal Affairs division. In Afghanistan he was the commander over one of the provinces of the country. He worked with drug interdiction and training the Afghanistan police. He was involved in many dangerous situations, but always managed to escape without harm. Working with multi- national police, he made friends and connections around the world. During his weeks of vacation, he and his wife Deborah traveled to the beautiful cities of more than a dozen countries. He also lived and worked in Bogota, Colombia. His self-taught Spanish was a valuable tool. Ron always exemplified a strong work ethic, a willingness to serve, a love of freedom and democracy, an appreciation of people from various cultures, an ability to develop trust, and Christian family values. His passing will be felt by his friends from around the world.
Ron had many interests and talents outside of police work including carpentry, cooking and grilling, gardening, reading, nature, traveling and unashamedly spoiling Grandchildren. He never met a stranger, always had a kind word, was willing to help others, could intelligently discuss most any topic, and had a quick wit and sense of humor. While working in Kosovo and Afghanistan, he distinguished himself and earned many commendations. US Army General Lloyd once referred to him as a great American, but he was more than that, Ron Guyton was a great man.
The family will receive friends at Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home on Friday 6th from 4:30 to 7:00. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday 7th at Carvers Creek Methodist at 2:00. The burial will take place at Mt Horeb Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Carvers Creek United Methodist Church.
