Ronald Beane of Cajah's Mountain, North Carolina, went home to the LORD on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Shaire Center. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Ivanna Beane and brother Lowell Keith "Butch" Beane. He is survived by Christine, his wife of sixty-five years, and siblings Wayne Beane, Jerry Beane (Joyce), and Kathleen Beane Curtis. He is also survived by daughter Paige Beane Harris (John) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and son Dr. Scott Beane (Cresada) of Easley, South Carolina. Additionally, he is survived by four grandchildren: Peyton Beane (Dustin) of Boiling Springs, South Carolina; Allyson Harris Mintz (Jordan) of Shelby, North Carolina; Keegan Beane of San Marcos, Texas; and First Lieutenant Andrew Harris of Odenton, Maryland.

A native of Caldwell County, Ron attended Baton Elementary School and graduated from Hudson High School in 1955. After graduating from Gardner-Webb Junior College and Appalachian State University, he began his teaching career at Davenport Junior High School and later taught at Gamewell-Collettesville and Hibriten High Schools. He was basketball coach at all three schools. His high school basketball teams went to the state playoffs eight of the ten years that he coached. Ron continued his career in education, becoming the last principal of Lenoir High School and then the first principal of West Caldwell High School. He became the Associate Superintendent of the Caldwell County Schools in 1982 and retired from the school system in 1994 after thirty-five years of service.

After retiring from a career in education, he served twelve years as a Caldwell County Commissioner and led the effort to acquire the Wild and Scenic River Designation for Wilson Creek in Caldwell County. After securing the Wild and Scenic River designation, he led the effort to build a Visitor Center on Wilson Creek that opened in October 2002 and then led the effort to establish the Friends of Wilson Creek organization.

He served as a member of the Caldwell County Schools Education Foundation Board. He also served on the Caldwell Community College Board of Trustees and was on the Gardner-Webb University Board of Trustees.

Ron was a member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for decades and previously served as chairman of the Board of Deacons. He previously served on the National Association of County Commissioners Public Lands Steering Committee, the National Association of Commissioners Transportation Steering Committee, the North Carolina County Commissioners Public Education Steering Committee, and past chairman of the Unifour Rural Planning Organization. He is past chairman of the Foothills Regional Airport Authority and was appointed in 2003 by Governor Easley as a member of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Board of Trustees and reappointed by Governor Perdue in 2010. He also previously served on the North Carolina Retired Government Employees Association Board of Directors.

Ron was also active in a number of community organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of Caldwell Opportunities, Caldwell County Pathways Board of Directors, Koinonia Board of Directors, Blue Ridge Electric's Community Leaders Council, and Friends of Wilson Creek Board of Directors. He was also the first president of the North Carolina Foothills Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. He previously served as a trustee for Valdese General Hospital and on the board of Blue Ridge Healthcare. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Caldwell County and previously served as president of the organization.

Ron was also recognized in the community for his efforts to improve the quality of life in Caldwell County. He was selected Lenoir Jaycees Man of the Year in 1970 and Lenoir Jaycees Boss of the Year in 1976. He was also the recipient of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Award in 1991 and inducted into the Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He was recipient of the Gold Apple Award in 2001 and was honored with the Caldwell County L.A. Dysart Award in 2006. Ron was inducted into Gardner-Webb University's Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2006 and then inducted into the Caldwell County Schools Hall of Honor in 2007. He was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine by Governor Perdue in 2012.

Ron was an avid outdoorsman whose passions were fly fishing and elk hunting. His life was characterized by his commitment and service to his church and his community and to education in Caldwell County and North Carolina.

The family will receive from 4-6pm on Saturday, October 19 at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home in Lenoir.

Service will be Sunday, October 20 at 3pm at Mountain Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Sam Craven officiating. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated, or you may make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Foundation of CCC&TI, Gardner Webb University (GWU's Greatest Need), or the charity of your choice.