Ronald Roy Cone

Ronald Roy Cone, 85, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Ron grew up in the Chicagoland area. He met his wife Darlene Loutsch Well, they were both working at the Skokie news agency. While dating they enjoyed movies hockey games, roller Derby and the Riverview amusement park.

They were married March 11, 1961 and were married for 65 years. They started having a family early while Ron worked several part-time jobs while putting himself through school. This eventually led to him getting his dream job as a radio engineer at WGN in Chicago, Illinois. He worked along side, well-known radio personalities like Wally Phillips, Spike O'Dell and Bob Collins.

Dad loved the Chicago Cubs and had the privilege of working at Wrigley Field, keeping the radio station on air for those games. When the Cubs finally won the World Series after he retired from WGN, he said I never thought I would see this in my lifetime but was overjoyed that he did!

Dad worked some long and unusual hours, but he always made time to play with his kids. He would be like a big kid and we all loved that.

His youngest daughter Wendy was living in Tennessee and after visiting several times Ron and Darlene moved from the harsh Illinois winters to the milder ones in Tennessee where he enjoyed the rest of his life.

Ron was a man of few words, but always waited for an opportunity to tell a joke, or just created one.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy R. Cone and Helen Cone.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Darlene E. Cone; daughters, Susan E. Erickson (James), Ciaara Carlsen, and Wendy Zouras Richardson (Gregg); siblings, Roger Cone (Christine), Randy Cone (Maria), Gregory Cone (Chistianne), and Leslie Hertz (Bob); his grandchildren, Brian Friend, Paige Friend, Kevin Friend, Darlene Zouras, Jaimie Miller (Patrick), Cory Sanin (Japreet), and Carly Sanin; and his great-grandchildren, Josiah, Rosemary, and Haddie Miller.

Dad, we hope you are making the angels laugh, dancing with Jesus and playing with all the pets you had on earth.

We cannot wait to see you in Heaven.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.