Ronald L Massa, 77, of Joplin, Mo. died at 5:53 p.m. July 4, 2021 surrounded by family. Cancer did not take his life. This decision was made by Jesus Christ, for his timing is perfect and this was Ron’s prayer.
Born April 10, 1944 in Joplin Ron was the son of Antone Joseph Massa and Dorothy Mae (Headlee) Massa. Ron lived in Joplin most of his life, with the exception of a few years spent in Santa Cruz, California and Dallas, Texas. He attended Joplin schools to include Joplin Jr. College but he didn’t graduate.
He moved to Dallas in 1965 and began work with the General Electric Credit Corp. Ron loved the business world and returned to Joplin from Dallas after five years with GECC. He started work with Hagman’s Inc , a wholesale chain selling candy, paper products, cigarettes and tobacco products to grocery stores, Wal Mart and other consumer outlets. He was regional sales manager when he left Hagman’s after four years to join the Joe Smith Tobacco Company where he spent the next six years as vice president of sales.
In1986 Ron began selling billboard advertising with the South Outdoor Advertising Co in Joplin and after 10 years with South Outdoor serving on their board of directors, and as Vice President of Sales, he bought a company which was owned by South Outdoor, servicing markets in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. The new Massa Industries, Inc. went on to further develop and expand those markets and he also founded the Ozark Outdoor Advertising Co in Joplin. Ron sold both companies in 2001 and 2002 and he retired in 2003. INC Magazine wrote a nice article about the sale of Tri-State Outdoor Advertising.
In 2014 Ron became a published author writing his autobiography which was his testimony of what a holy God did in his life. “Finding Light : A Journey Out Of Darkness” was written to help people struggling with life. Ron was a member of the Forest Park Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.
Ron would be quick to add that the greatest accomplishment of his life was not his resume, but the surrender of his life to Jesus Christ as Lord, receiving the eternal gift of salvation.
Ron and Sue Phillips were united in marriage in 1976. She survives.
In addition to his wife, Ron is survived by three children: sons, Mario (wife Autumn) of Joplin, Mo, and Jon Phillips (wife Courtney), of Chattanooga, Tenn.; daughter Shani Byler ( husband Christopher) of Carl Junction, Mo. Grandchildren: Sasha, Stephanie (husband Jake), Samuel, and Zakkery; four great-grandchildren, Liam, Elliot, Dillon, and Laken; sister Terri Martin ( husband Jim) of Carterville, Mo.; nieces Vicky Spear, Stacy Crain and Kelly Hance of all of Columbus, Angie Baugh and Melissa Camden both of Carthage, also survive.
Ron was preceded in death by his daughter Ronetta Sue, his brother Gary, a sister Toni Rae, and his parents, and grandparents.
Funeral service will be Friday, July 9, at 2 p.m. in Forest Park Baptist Church. Dr. John Swadley will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Forest Park Baptist Church prior to the memorial service from 1 p.m. until service time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin. Ron will lay in state at Parker Mortuary for those not able to attend funeral services during normal business hours Wednesday and Thursday. Burial will be at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery at a later time.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Joplin, Forest Park Baptist Church. Mission Joplin was founded after the tornado in 2011, offering food and clothing items to those in need and they still provide these items today to residents of Joplin.