Ron Trammell, loving husband, devoted father, friend, mentor and meeting planner extraordinaire, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 19, with Marcelle, his wife of 27 years, by his side. William Ronald Trammell was born Aug. 29, 1946, in Abilene, Texas, to William and Tillie Mae Trammell. He is survived by his wife, Marcelle; his son, Will; his brothers, Jerry and Chuck; his sister-in-law, Lucille; his niece, Kelley; and his nephew, Steve. He attended Abilene High School where he excelled at baseball playing for the Abilene Eagles, which resulted in an offer to play baseball for a major-league baseball team. While growing up in Abilene, he was a member of the University Baptist Church, and he was a Boy Scout achieving the level of Life Scout. Ron moved to Dallas in 1964 and worked at several jobs, including short-order cook and ambulance driver, before he joined Mary Kay in 1965. One of the company's earliest and most tenured employees, he worked closely with Mary Kay Ash, as the company grew from a regional cosmetics company to a global entity. He had the wonderful opportunity to "grow up" with Mary Kay Ash, her sons, the Independent National Sales Directors, executives, employees and vendors. During those early years, he was also a member of the Marine Corps Reserves. In 1979, due to his vision and unique set of skills, he became the first employee in the Mary Kay Special Events department. He held the position of vice president of special events before retiring in 2011. His creative brilliance and bigger-than-life personality helped to inspire countless lives. Mary Kay employees still admire Ron's dedication and loyalty to the company, and today remember his ability to teach, lead and inspire, all while making others laugh with his fun and unpredictable sense of humor. Ron led the way for Mary Kay to be the industry leader in producing large special events," says David Holl, president and chief executive officer of the company. "He was an inspiration to all who worked with him and set the highest standards in the motivation of our sales force. Ron was the rare person who stayed his entire career at one company. We are thankful it was at Mary Kay." Ron was recognized as an "industry icon," says Amanda Wells, president of the Meeting Planners International Dallas/Fort Worth chapter. "Ron met with four friends at Holiday Inn Central to plot the beginning of the MPI D/FW chapter in 1977 and served as its first president." His humble nature would never allow him to fully realize the true impact he had on the hundreds of people he touched. He was passionate about travel, whether for business or pleasure. With his wife, Marcelle, and his 26-year-old son, Will, he enjoyed traveling the world as a family. "Ron enjoyed everything that each city or country had to offer, especially the food," his wife says. "We are sure that he was an Italian in a previous life. He loved to cook and was quite a chef." Friends and co-workers at Mary Kay knew that, no matter what city they travelled to, Ron would have excellent restaurant recommendations. His wife also shares, "Ron always said he had the best job anyone could have - traveling the world, dining in the finest restaurants, putting together first-class trips and special events, and working with people he loved and respected." Ron will be remembered as an exceptional leader, the dearest of friends, a fun and joyful influence on all who met him, a hard worker and as a person who enjoyed every aspect of life. One co-worker says, "He was larger than life. He took the commitment to his job and family seriously, but never himself." Others remember the kind and gentle heart inside his seemingly gruff exterior, knowing that he was a unique man who could make others feel special. He will be truly missed by everyone who has ever met him. A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at the Dallas City Performance Hall Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700