Ronald Jay Zeeman - Walker Funeral Home

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather returned home to his Heavenly Father early Monday, December 12, 2023. Ronald Jay Zeeman was born on January 17, 1956, to John Darrell and Helena VanderToolen Zeeman in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ron graduated from Payson High School and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands. He met the love of his life, Cherie Lynn Manning while attending a BYU party. Ron and Cherie were married in the Salt Lake Temple in August 1978, and began their family soon after.

Ron was a man of many talents, stories, and a self-made MacGyver. He loved art, pioneer and Native American history, outdoor survivalism, scouts, technology, volunteering in search and rescue, and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Throughout his life, Ron worked for his father’s construction company, at Nature’s Sunshine, in bronze casting, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and lastly as the Data Center Manager at BYU.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cherie Lynn Manning Zeeman, daughters Stephanie (Dan) Ockey, Amy (Cameron) Baldwin, Cheralyn (Erik) Dansie, sons Justin (Karin) Zeeman, David (Megan) Zeeman, brothers Raymond (Ellen) Zeeman, Jeff (Terrie) Zeeman, Dana (Darcie) Zeeman, sisters Lynette (Jerry) Bradford, Rochelle (Vic) Jones, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother David Zeeman, father J. Darrell Zeeman, and mother Helena (VanderToolen) Zeeman.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 12625 Spring Lake Road in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the church. There will also be visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

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11 Condolences for Ronald Jay Zeeman

Condolences(11)

Mary VanBeekum Hastings says

December 14, 2023 at 1:33 am

Ron was my Dad’s cousin, but to us kids he was known as Uncle Ron. The awesome guy that was the sidekick in all of my dad’s stories from when they were younger. As stated, Ron had many talents. I have many different memories with or of Uncle Ron; Hunting, riding trails around their Payson house, Mount Timpanogos stories, Search and Rescue, boy scouts and many more. Us kids would always look forward to seeing him, and be disappointed when we didn’t get to see him. A few years back we were all attending my Grandpa CJ Van Beekum’s funeral and we were giving Ron a hard time for not coming to some recent events. I turned to Ron and said, “Ron, I don’t think that you realize that us kids think of you as a legend.” At this, Ron turned bright red and Cherie almost choked due to the sudden bought of laughter that she had. The last time I was able to see Ron he had helped my dad with a Scouting event. Ron was getting up to leave, him and my dad Richard were talking about a surgery that Cherie was going to be having. I can’t remember exactly what Ron said but in a beautiful nut shell he said how much he loved Cheire and how much she meant to him. I think that is a pretty good last memory for me of my Uncle Ron. Like I said, to me Ron was a legend, the best “Uncle” a kid could have.

REPLY
Cheralynn Dansie says
December 17, 2023 at 6:32 pm

Thank you for sharing.

Ronette Hofeling says

December 14, 2023 at 3:24 am

What a true example of Christlike love for everyone. He gave so much service and time, especially to my mom and dad. Thank you. Cheri and family our love and prayers are with you at this time.

Bob Coleman says

December 14, 2023 at 6:40 am

The Zeeman’s Ron’s Granpa and uncles in Payson have always been an important part of my life. Starting back in 1973.
I met him last year working with him at BYU.
I think he could tell I was lost in the world of DATA Centers and technology.
He took me under his wing I found a true friend in Ron.
He will be greatly missed there.
We had so many things to talk about especially when it was a Payson adventure.
His stories of growing up were as intricate and adventurous as the best action movie out there..
Old teachers at Payson high were remembered,
I delivered newspapers to several of his search and rescue team members and to bring up their names and their jeeps always brought on conversations.
Ron talked about Cherie often. In our recent conversations.
He talked of his love for his children and was proud of his posterity.
He talked about his Mission. You could feel goodness in Ron.
I am a better person because I knew him.
He will always be remembered in my heart!
Cherie and the Zeeman family, I am truly sorry for your loss.

REPLY
Jennifer and Sergei Dengin says
December 14, 2023 at 12:53 pm

What a blessing for our family to have known Ron. We remember his testimony, stories and lessons shared. His time and attention in teaching our boys has made all the difference in their lives. Cherie, you are in our prayers.

Richard & Christine Behling says

December 14, 2023 at 8:58 pm

We lost a good friend that treated us with love, respect and trust. Still trying to wrap my brain around this loss. We will keep Cherie and the family in our prayers and thoughts. We love you all. Try to always remember the good and positive that we learned and shared with Ron. This is how we keep him alive in our hearts. He would not want us to greave to long but to smile and laugh because he was and is with us still. God speed my friend, until we meet again.

Rosemary Warner says

December 14, 2023 at 9:34 pm

Cherie, my condolences to you and your family. May comfort be with you.

John Yorkey says

December 15, 2023 at 12:46 am

I met Ron at Utah Valley Hospital when he was the Telecom manager. We worked on many new construction projects for the South Region. I remember how he would light up when talking about Search & Rescue and Emergency Communications. A true adventure geek. Condolences to his family and friends. Peace.

McKenna says

December 15, 2023 at 9:28 pm

Wow, my aunt Heidi Kramer sent me this and I was saddened to see Ron had passed to the next life. I worked with Ron as an admin assistant at the BYU data center from 2009-2013. I have many fond memories of listening to Ron’s stories (his search and rescue stories had me riveted). He made some delicious brisket for a BBQ party at work. Most importantly, he was always so kind to me. Sending appreciation for the light he spread in his life and prayers for the family to feel his good influence and be uplifted by angels during this time. -McKenna (Kramer) Ure

McKenna says

December 15, 2023 at 9:29 pm

(Also, we shared the same birthday! That was always fun.)

Pat Greenhalgh Ursulich says

December 16, 2023 at 12:13 pm

Dear Cherie & Family,
I went to school with Ron, but got to know him really well working at Utah Valley Hospital. He was always willing to help get things fixed. Since I was from Santaquin & he from Spring Lake, we shared so many stories from life in a small town. Ron always expressed his love for his family, and the Savior. Sending my sympathy & prayers.

Ronald Jay Zeeman January 17, 1956 - December 12, 2023

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11 Condolences for Ronald Jay Zeeman