Ronald Carroll Gravett

Mr. Ronald Carroll Gravett, 73, of Ellijay, died Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Piedmont Hospital in Jasper, after a three-week-long battle with COVID-19.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1948, to Cloren Lee and Billie Jean Gravett.

When he was 5 years old his family moved to Orlando, Fla., where he continued to live until moving to Ellijay in 1998.

Six days out of high school, he volunteered for enlistment as an infantryman in the United States Army. After completing basic training, he volunteered and completed the Basic Airborne Course (“Jump School”) at Fort Benning.

After graduating airborne school, he once more volunteered to attend the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, earning the coveted Green Beret. He then arrived at his unit, 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C., and would once again volunteer, this time for the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group. Under this Command in January 1969, he arrived in Vietnam as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant serving behind enemy lines and the forefront of it all.

He served until January 1970. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for his heroism in Vietnam. Near the completion of his tour in Vietnam, he was asked to re-enlist. He declined then, keeping a promise to his mother to no longer deploy in harm’s way. This decision would become what he called “the only thing in his life that he really regretted.” For the rest of his life, he would always be a ‘soldier at heart.’ He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by wife of 29 years, Vickie Gravett; children, Dana and Alexandra Gravett, of Winter Park, Fla., and Jeremy and Hannah Towns, of Ellijay; grandchildren, Morgan Gravett, Noah Gravett, Madeline Gravett, Jackson Towns and Finley Towns.

Visits with Papa Ron often included hours of board games, kayaking or fishing at Carters Lake and tubing down the river.

He was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Ellijay.  He sang in the choir, performed in every Passion Play, often with multiple roles in addition to singing. He participated in countless Easter and Christmas programs. Whether at work or at play, he never met a stranger.

Before programs at the church, you would find him talking to people in the sanctuary.  No matter the circumstance, he would be the person seeking out guests in order to make them feel welcome.  He also sang several seasons with the community choir.

He was an avid reader, loved classical music and guitar, fly fishing and riding motorcycles and roller coasters.

Being a member of the Special Operations Association Riders combined two of the things he truly enjoyed: Being with fellow soldiers and riding motorcycles. These riders meet somewhere in the country every year around Armed Forces Day to honor those still missing in action.

He worked as an outside salesman in the kitchen and bath industry for many years before retiring in 2010. In 2014, he was asked to volunteer as a mentor to veterans in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court. He continued to be involved with the veterans in this program up until the time of his death.   

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m.  Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Ellijay.

Graveside interment with military honors by the United States Army will follow at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton at 3 p.m. Please refer to Bernhardt Funeral Home for further details.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Special Operations Association Riders.

Flowers are accepted, or donations in memory of Ron Gravett can be made to Bright Light, with the Special Operations Association. To donate, make checks payable to SOA/Bright Light. Mail to SOA/Bright Light, P.O. Box 335461, N. Las Vegas, NV 89033.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.