Celebrating the Life of Ronald "Rusty" Travis Ivy

It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye for now to Ronald Travis Ivy, 64.  He passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on January 20, 2017 at his home in Tomball, Texas after a courageous seven month battle with cancer.

Ron, often referred to as "Rusty" by family and friends in South Texas, was born on April 15, 1952 in Alice, Texas. Growing up on family property in Sandia, Texas, with his younger brother Rick, he spent his childhood shooting guns, building soap box cars, and tinkering with anything he could put his hands on.

Early elementary years were spent in Sandia. In the fifth grade, his small town attended elementary school in Orange Grove, where little did he know at the time, he would meet Patricia Stehle, the love of his life and wife for over 43 years.  Together, they welcomed two children, Amy Leanne and Kevin Ronald.  Ron attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas where he pursued a degree in Civil Engineering.  Upon graduation, he and Patty moved to Houston, Texas to begin his career in the Petroleum Industry while working to earn his Professional Engineering License.  He worked up until his final day as the Vice President of Operations for Castex Energy, Inc., a place he was happy to call home for the past 16 years.

Ron enjoyed many things in life such as tennis, skiing, fast cars, laughing and a nice glass of wine, but nothing was greater than his love and devotion to his family.  On any given weekend, Ron could be found in his backyard, relaxing by the pool, cooking up some of his famous BBQ.  He was an amazing cook and very hospitable.  He had a habit of cooking way too much food which led to many impromptu get-togethers with neighbors, family and friends.   When not in Tomball, he enjoyed his small piece of paradise at his country home, appropriately named "Rancho Grande."  Ron was an avid golfer, car enthusiast, and collector of many things, including knives, guns, and time pieces.

Ron was preceded in death by both his parents, Travis Ivy & LaVerne Ellington. He is survived by: his devoted wife, Patricia; his daughter and son-in-law Amy and Steve Wessner; his son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Ashlee Ivy; his treasured grandchildren Kinzey and Gavin Wessner, Ryleigh, Landen, and Liam Ivy; his brother and sister-in-law Rick & Steph Ivy; his mother-in-law Evelyn Stehle; his beloved English Springer Spaniel Bella, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

Ron touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end of his time here on earth. Friends and family are invited to attend his funeral service on Sunday, January 29th, 2017, 2:00pm at Salem Lutheran Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, Tx. A visitation will be held the night before from 6:00-8:00pm at Klein Funeral Home, located at 1400 West Main, Tomball, Tx. In Lieu of flowers, Ron requested donations be made to the Memorial Bone & Joint Foundation, where he actively served on the Board of Directors. http://www.orthoresearch.org/ron-ivy-memorial.html