Ronald DeWayne Klug Obituary – The Detroit Free Press

Ronald DeWayne Klug passed away on April 28, 2025, at the Life Care Center in Crossville, Tennessee, following a brief illness. He was 90 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 69-years, Merrily Klug; son, Thomas Klug (Dominique Daniel); daughters Kathy Klug (Pam Curren) and Leann Nobida (Max); grandchildren Emma Klug, Eric Klug, Joshua Nobida, and Madeline Nobida; sister, Barbara Muhaw (George); and eleven nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Lela (Jones) Klug from Brown City, and his younger brothers, Raymond and Daniel.

Born in Detroit in 1935, Ron grew up in St. Clair Shores before moving to East Detroit (now Eastpointe) in elementary school. It was there on Firwood Street that he met Ron Kramer, a boy from Kansas living just a street away on Oakwood. The two Rons would become lifelong friends.

Ron’s lifelong passion was sports. He played baseball and basketball for coach Fred Lee at East Detroit High School. During his senior year in 1952-53 he played guard on the Class A varsity basketball team that won the regional title and trophy. Known for his breathtaking accuracy and stunning deep court shots, Ron earned the nickname Little Ron,” often setting up scoring plays for “Big Ron” Kramer, the team’s star center who later excelled at the University of Michigan and in the NFL.

After high school, Ron served in the National Guard, honing his skills as a cook. He became an accomplished hand at the grill and was known by his family for preparing tasty barbecue steaks, chicken, and pork chops. He found work at a shoe store and in a couple of factories before landing at job at Consumers Power Company. Over a 44-year career, he worked throughout Macomb County fixing furnaces and gas meters for residential customers and, later, doing industrial work at area factories. A proud member of the Utility Workers Union of America, Ron declined management positions in favor of staying in the field serving customers.

Ron took great joy in coaching youth sports, particularly baseball and basketball, and was a devoted supporter of all of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved tailgating before many University of Michigan football games that he sometimes watched from the press box. An avid and competitive golfer, Ron found even more joy when, in 2001, he and Merrily moved from Warren, Michigan, to Fairfield Glade, a golfing community in Crossville, Tennessee, where he enjoyed retirement surrounded by scenic fairways and good friends.

Ron will be remembered by family and friends for his friendly smile and good nature. One is hard pressed to recall a single instance of him saying a negative thing about another person. He enjoyed observing people, listening to funny stories, and watching sports on television. To the end he retained his wonderful sense of humor. As Ron and Merrily made plans to move to Arizona, his daughter asked him how much mom was allowed to spend buying a new house. “A dollar ninety-eight,” he said. Everybody laughed.

The Klug family is most thankful for the care and love extended to Ron by the staff at the Life Care Center.