Ronald E. Fretts

Ronald E. Fretts, born July 17, 1937, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 12, 2024. He grew up in a small house outside of Scottdale, PA, with his parents (Glenn A. And Violet E. Fretts), his two brothers (James Raymond and Glenn B.) and one sister (Connie Jean). Ron was a graduate of East Huntingdon High School, class of 1955. His first job was at age 16 when he got his Apprentice Bricklayers Card and began traveling with his dad to jobs. He served with the National Guard from 1954-1960. He met his wife of 65 years, Patricia A. Hickey Fretts, in 1957 at a neighborhood picnic and they married in 1958. 

Ron began a construction business in 1967 after several years of brick, block, and cement work both locally and afar. You might recognize a few of the many buildings built by Fretts & Leeper Construction, including the Gallatin Bank in Mt. Pleasant (now Somerset Bank & Trust), rebuilding of the Scottdale Methodist Church on Mulberry Street, the Scottdale Savings and Trust Bank, and the Scottdale and Mt Pleasant Firehouses. Ron served the community in many ways, including as a Gallatin Bank Director and on the Board of the Scottdale Community Civic & Industrial Association, and enjoyed being a long time member of the Royal Oaks Class of Pennsville Baptist Church.

Ron’s time away from work included enjoying his wife and children, golfing, and hunting and conservation. He enjoyed being a member of the NRA and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  Ron served as President of the National Wild Turkey Federation Local Chapter #1 for many years before being elected in 1981 to the NWTF National Board of Directors in Edgefield, SC, where he served as President, Chairman of the Board, and many other offices during his tenure which ended in 2011. Highlights of this time of service include Mentored Youth Hunting, for which he was included in “The Outdoor Life 25- Men & Women Who Have Changed the Face of Hunting” in 2015; The C.B. McLeod Distinguished Service Award in 1990; and he was one of only six recipients the NWTF Five Star Award, the highest award the NWTF can present to it’s volunteers.

Ron is survived by his wife Patricia A. Fretts, his children Tim (Kathy) Fretts of Scottdale, Tom Fretts of Courtland, VA, Michelle (Chris) Kinter of Scottdale, Cathleen (Drew) Laird of Scottdale,  Cynthia Whitacre of Scottdale and Christina (Jason) Pennington of Huber Heights, OH.  Ron will be missed by 18 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. 

Family and friends are welcome on Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at GRAFT-JACQUILLARD FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC 303 Pittsburgh St. Scottdale.  Additional visitation will be held on Friday from 10-11 am in Pennsville Baptist Church, 3298 Richey Road, Mt. Pleasant, PA where his funeral service will be held at 11 am with Rev. Robert H. Bixel, officiating.  Interment will follow in the Scottdale Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project 600 River Ave, Suite400 Pittsburgh, PA 15212.  Online condolences are welcome at www.gjfuneral.com