Benjamin Ronk Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Captain Benjamin Joseph Ronk passed away on December 26, 2015 in Clarksville, TN. Captain Ronk, son of Joseph B. Ronk (Faye) and Belinda Jividen (Glen) all of Kenova, WV. He was preceded in death by grandparents Sterling and Anna Mae Ronk and Wanda J. Seals and step-sister, Andrea J. Pennington. In addition to his parents, he is survived by son, Dylan James Ronk and his mother, Sherry Bernard of Adams, TN; sister, Stacie Ronk Patel (Mukesh) of Holly Springs, NC; step brothers, Paul Malone, Willow Wood, OH, Ricky Jividen, Wheelersburg, LH, Randy Jividen, Kenova, WV and Anthony Jividen (Tammy) of Glenwood, WV; his first wife, Christine Ronk of Wisconsin; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. Benjamin went to grade and high school in Ceredo Kenova where he was known as BJ, although he graduated from Seaside High School in California. Over a period marking nearly 25 years, Captain Ronk served his country in varying capacities in uniform. He served eight years in Active Duty as an enlisted soldier, earning the rank of Sergeant, from 1991 to 1999. Through his enlistment he served as a Satellite Communications System Operator-Maintainer in various assignments, including a tour with the White House Office. Captain Ronk commissioned as a warrant officer in 1999 after being selected to attend the Rotary Wing Aviator Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, serving another 12 years and seven months Active Duty from 1999 to 2012 as a UH-60 Pilot. During this time he successfully completed the UH-60 Instructor Pilot Course (2004) to become an instructor pilot at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. Captain Ronk attended the Physician Assistant Course and Army Flight Surgeon Primary Course in 2012 before commissioning as a First Lieutenant to serve his first assignment as a medical provider at 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He completed his career as the 501st Area Support Medical Company Treatment Platoon Physician Assistant with the 86th Combat Support Hospital. His current term of service was to expire in March 2016. During these periods of service, overseas and temporary duty locations included: Korea (1993-1994 and 2001-2002); Afghanistan, "Operation Enduring Freedom" (2002-2003); Iraq, "Operation Iraqi Freedom" (2004-2005 and 2005-2006); and Liberia, "Operation United Assistance" (2015). Visitation will be held on Friday January 8, 2016 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the 13th Street Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. Funeral services will begin immediately following the visitation at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast, Grayson, KY.