Ronald J. Boothe

Ronald J. Boothe, 62, of Salem, Passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013. He was born in Richlands, a son of the late Wilburn and Elizabeth Dye Boothe and had been an area resident all of his life. He was a long time member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church where he currently served as Senior Warden and was also a Eucharistic Minister. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Thomas Boothe. Ron was raised as a Master Mason in Taylor Lodge in 1974. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1980 and was treasurer for 10 years. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for the 22nd Masonic District in 2001. He was a member of D.C. Shanks Royal Arch Chapter #31, Past Worthy Patron of Etta Chapter #185, O.E.S. Alpha Star Council #31 of the Allied Masonic Degree and was Past Associate Guardian of Bethel #69 International Order of Jobs Daughters. Ron was a 33rd Degree member of the Roanoke Scottish Rite where he served as Master of all four Lodges. He received the investiture of the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1997 and received 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary in 2001. He was currently serving as a Trustee of the Scottish Rite in Roanoke. He was very active in the Shrine. Among his honors, he served as Potentate of Kazim in 2005, Captain of the Kazim Provost Guard, Past President of the Roanoke Valley Shrine Club, a recipient of the Legion of Honor of DeMolay, and a charter member of the Order of the Q of Kazim Shriners. Illustrious Ron was an honorary member of the Kazim Clowns, Legion of Honor, Directors Staff and Emeritus member of the Kazim Provost Guard. Ron served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Roanoke Valley Home Builders Association for 28 years, serving as President in 1989. He was named 2010 Builder of the Years and achieved the status of Life SPIKE for his efforts in recruiting new members. He served as Roanoke Regional Home Builders Associations representative on the TAP board of directors since 2010. Ron gave of his time and talents to chair and serve on numerous RRHBA committees, as well as serving as a member of both the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Virginia. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Southwest United Builders Political Action Committee for 13 years, was a trustee of the HBA for 8 years and served as an alternate member of the HBAV Legislative Committee in 2007 and 2008. In 2010 Ron was appointed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to serve a 4 year term as a member of the Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD), which included service on the following committees: Housing, Community Development, Codes and Standards, and the special committee of Statewide Fire Prevention Code Development. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Betty Nance Boothe; two daughters, Tricia and Elizabeth Boothe; a brother, Ed Boothe and his wife Betty; brother-in-law, Bobby Nance and his wife Margie; his beloved nieces and nephews, and the godmother to his daughters, Marcia Vincent. A memorial service will be held at 1PM, Thursday, June 20, 2013 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Salem. The Reverend Jim Lively will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8PM, Wednesday at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem with Masonic Rites being afforded at 7:30PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kazim Shrine Transportation Fund, 628 Campbell Ave. SW Roanoke, VA 24016. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.