In Memory of Ronald Joseph Callaway, 74, who passed away on April 30th, 2024.

Ronald Callaway was born on April 1st, 1950 in Daphne, Alabama, and led a life filled with world travel through his welding and fabrication job at Siemens, and he also had an intense love for saltwater fishing and hunting. His presence will be missed by those who knew him.

Ronald graduated from Fairhope High School (Alabama) in 1968. He then pursued a career in welding through Southwest State Technical Institute and later was employed through Siemens as a welder and fabricator.

Through Siemens, he was able to travel the world and meet many friends. He talked fondly of several key career highpoints, such as his time working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on the oil pipeline, where he also participated in the Arctic Ocean Polar Bear Club in Deadhorse, Alaska.

Ronald married Susan Callaway (nee Horvath; passed away Nov 1, 2007) on July 24th, 1976 and they raised two sons, Jeremy and Josh, finding homes in Alabama, Washington, Kansas, and later, New Berlin, WI.

Ron made as many trips home to his beloved "sugar sand" beaches in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach areas. His stories often revolved around jubilees and saltwater fish catches. Ron was also an avid hunter, spending much time in the Northwoods hunting deer, bear, and more. The hunting and fishing tv channels ran continuously at his home in New Berlin, WI. He was a great fabricator and was always finding ways to build what others might buy, no project was too large.

Ron was also a food and cooking enthusiast, with most meals a result of his hunting and fishing excursions. He loved Southern home favorites, and anything from the ocean that could be fried, was a favorite meal. Ron was known for being able to eat more than an entire group of people and proclaiming afterwards, "I am all swelled up." No one knew where the food went or how one human could eat so much. A favorite story, and yet source of annoyance, of Ron's was the time he was asked to leave an establishment after eating for too long (4+ hours) at an All-You-Can-Eat crab buffet in New York. Ron frequently cooked in hotels that he stayed at while working afar, and once fell asleep while making chicken on his George Foreman grill setting off the hotel fire alarms (also New York). He was surprised when the entire hotel needed to evacuate due to his burned chicken.

Ron's colorful stories, all told in his deep Southern accent, always began with "I tell you what" and a "well dadgum" was usually included somewhere.

Ron was well-traveled and worked in destinations such as Brazil, Ireland, Argentina, Germany, Peru, Mexico, the Arctic Circle in Alaska, New York, Texas, and more. He loved trying the different foods of each area and meeting people. Ron was exceptionally proud of the 120 acres of hunting land that he co-owned with his sons in Pembine, WI, as well as his beautiful condo Phoenix on the Bay II in Orange Beach, AL, where he enjoyed good times and great fishing with his sons and a crew of their friends.


Ron is survived by his sons, Jeremy (Jenny) and Josh (Tonya), his grandchildren Emmersen, Hunter, and Taylor, his brother Skip Callaway (and family), and many friends and extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Hazel Callaway, and Susan Callaway.


Ron was able to find peace after a lengthy battle with ALS in the comfort of his home in New Berlin, WI thanks to his dedicated family and friends. Over the course of Ron's illness, many friends and relatives visited frequently, brought favorite foods and meals for caregivers, provided health care, did odd jobs, and were of great help and support. Ron's family thanks all of these caring people and his wish to remain at home would not have been possible without this group. We remember Ronald Callaway with gratitude for the opportunities he provided, the love for the ocean and woods that he instilled, and the Southern charm, hospitality, and camaraderie that he was known for.


At the request of the family, no formal service will be held. In lieu of cards and flowers, his family would any donations to be made to: The ALS Association @ https://www.als.org/