Roland John Esser

Mr. Roland John “Ron” Esser, 89, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2016, at VA Liberty Lane Hospice House in Salisbury after fighting a valiant fight against liver cancer.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Chaplain Ric Durham will officiate. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Tuesday at Lady's Funeral Home.

Mr. Esser was born November 16, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI. He was the son of the late John Esser and Inez Esser, formerly of Milwaukee. Ron graduated from trade school as a diesel mechanic.

Mr. Esser was in the U.S. Navy for two years during WWII. He worked as a signalman and was classified as a Motor Machinist Mate – 2nd Class. He served on an Amphibious landing ship: a flat-bottomed boat that carried troops and equipment for the war effort. Mr. Esser also served in the Coast Guard for two years.

After WWII, Ron worked for 30 years at A.O. Smith in Milwaukee, where they built car bodies and large, stainless steel beer vats. He worked 10 years as a master welder, 10 years as a scheduler, and 10 years as a supervisor. After retirement, he and his wife moved south to Enochville, NC to be close to Bert’s family. He worked a number of years for H&R Block. Later, he owned and operated a small tire repair business out of his home.

Ron had a distinctive Wisconsin accent that was recognized whenever he walked into a room. Friends marveled that he lived in the south many years and his accent sounded like he still lived in Wisconsin. Ron loved the water and for many years loved to swim laps at the Cannon YMCA in Kannapolis, usually one mile five days a week. Eleven years ago pursuing this interest led him to Judy, his soul mate. They were married recently in a touching home ceremony.

He was a sports enthusiast, loved the Atlanta Braves and the Carolina Panthers. He kept up with current events and always had an opinion on how to win any given baseball or football game and always had ideas on how to solve world problems. Surprisingly he learned to play bridge late in life, after he met Judy. They enjoyed many games at the YMCA with other bridge enthusiasts. Ron had a special place in his heart for animals and leaves Pepper, his brindle cat, whom he rescued 8 years ago, for Judy to love and care for. Judy and his many friends who loved him, will miss him greatly.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brother, Gordon Esser; and twin siblings, Leroy Esser and Ralph Esser; and former wife, Roberta Stribling.

Mr. Esser is survived by his wife, Judy Graeber Esser; children and step children, Charles Esser, Debra Esser, Louis Watt, Jeffry Watt, Mart Bumgarner and Lori Harder; brother-in-law, Gerald Garmon; various nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.