Brigadier General Ronald Pierce Woodson, age 82, of Somerset, KY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.

Ron was born in Bronston, KY on what is now known as Woodson Bend Resort, on January 2, 1939 to the late John David and Grace Abbott Woodson. He was a graduate of Eubank High School and Berea College. Upon graduation from Berea, Ron began a lifetime of public service and joined the United States Army. He left the Army as a Captain to care for ailing parents and joined the Kentucky Army National Guard and worked for the Government of Accountability Office. It was during this time that Ron met the love of his life and married Mary Ann Turpen on July 19, 1969.

Ron continued his service and was elected to what was the first of 5 terms as Property Valuation Administrator. During his time as PVA he continued to rise in rank in the Guard, founded GRAM Software and continued to operate and maintain his proprietary software up until 4 weeks before his passing. In 1993, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Before his retirement from the Guard in 1994, he completed what is known as the U.S. Army’s most physically demanding school and at the age of 52, become one of the oldest recipients to earn the Air Assault Badge.

Ron was a member of Campground Baptist Church, a member of the Officer Candidates School Hall of Fame along with many other organizations that are too numerous to mention. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, woodworking, reading anything he can get his hands on and military history, but what he enjoyed most was his family and friends. He was smart, unassuming, generous and thoughtful. In true spirit of the man he was, his only concern at the end was that of his family, telling them to go to work or go home and get some rest.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Woodson, sons Alan Woodson of Somerset and John Woodson (Jaime Ridner) of Somerset, KY. Two siblings, Hila (George) Williams of Scranton, PA and Creston (Pat) Woodson of Cypress, TX, scores of nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law, Peggy (Jack) Lockwood, Gladys Bryant, Jesse (Ruth) Turpen, Larry (Phyllis) Turpen, Othel (Tracey) Turpen, his KY National Guard family, his golf family of Eagles Nest Country Club, his golf family of Palmira Golf Club in Bonita Springs, FL and a lifetime of cherished friendships.

Preceding Ron in death are his parents, John David and Grace Woodson, his sisters Virginia Harman, Carol (Ed) Lawall and Joyce (Kenneth) Broughton, brothers Howard (Della) Woodson, J.D.(Myrtle) Woodson, Joe Woodson, Curt Woodson and Eddie (Pauline) Woodson. His father and mother in law, Othel “Pete” and Thelma Garner Turpen. Brothers and sister in law Ervin (June) Turpen, Curtis (Anna) Turpen, Murrell (Sally) Turpen, Dorsie (Dan) Hodapp, Eugene (Nancy Ann) Turpen and Glenn (Allene) Turpen.

Visitation for General Woodson will be held at Lake Cumberland Funeral Home on Sunday, September 26, beginning at 4pm for the family and 5pm for public.

His memorial service will be held Monday, September 27 at 11am with interment at Mill Springs National Cemetery, Major General Donald Storm officiating with eulogy from a special niece, Debbie Broughton Morrison.

The family would like to thank the staff at the ER at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and the outstanding staff of Hospice of Lake Cumberland. The family encourages that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, 100 Parkway Dr, Somerset, KY 42503

Lake Cumberland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for General Ronald Woodson.