Ronald E. Platt

Ronnie was born in Falls Church, Virginia on July 13, 1933, to Frank I. Platt and Mathilda Baughman Platt.  He passed away on June 24 at his home at Collier Park in Beaumont, Texas.

Ronnie’s boyhood was spent in Virginia, where he graduated from Mount Vernon High School, Fairfax County, Virginia. He served with the Air Force in Korea as an air traffic controller, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.  During his time of enlistment, he met his first wife, Annette Edwards, to whom he was married for over 40 years.  They married in 1955 and began their life together in Beaumont, where Ronnie lived until his passing.  Upon moving to Beaumont, Ronnie worked, as well as completed a degree in economics from then Lamar Tech.  A daughter, Laurie, and a son, Chris, were welcomed in the ensuing years.

Ronnie spent his entire professional life as a public servant.  He was the manager of the water department business office and later water commercial administrator for fourteen years before becoming the Assistant City Manager of Beaumont in 1975.  He held this position for several years before serving briefly as the Acting City Manager of Beaumont and then returning to his prior position. In 1981, Ronnie accepted the newly created position of general manager of Drainage District 6, which he held for 14 years.  He thoroughly enjoyed his involvement in the building of a new administration building for the district so that all of DD6 operations could be consolidated in a single location.  The water detention ponds that are now prevalent throughout the area to assist with flood control began during his tenure as the DD6 manager.

Most important to Ronnie, however, was his family life and his church life.  He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a deacon at Calder Baptist Church for over 30 years.  He spent many years as a faithful member of the Men’s Bible Class and served on a variety of committees.  Ronnie’s hobbies included reading espionage mysteries and working in his yard.  He loved plants, flowers, and birds.  A number of years after the death of his wife, Annette, he married Mildred “Micki” Carpenter, a fellow member of Calder.  They enjoyed traveling in their later years and spoiling their two much-loved dogs. The two enjoyed their time together for over ten years.  Ronnie’s life was indeed a life well- lived.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Shirley Schilke and her husband, Carl, his first wife, Annette, his son, Christopher Edwards Platt, and his son-in-law, Mark Henderson.  Those family members who will celebrate his life include his wife, Mildred Carpenter Platt of Beaumont, daughter, Laurie Platt Henderson of Fort Worth, grandchild, Cory Henderson and his wife, Tara, of Fort Worth, grandchild, Jaycie Henderson of Brooklyn, New York, and great-grandson, Cooper Henderson of Fort Worth.  He also leaves behind two nieces and a nephew, his wife, Micki’s, family, and numerous other friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas, 77702.

The family would like to thank Collier Park Assisted Living, Compassion Hospice, and the care provided by the staff of Montebello Home Care.  A special and loving thanks to Ronnie’s primary caregiver, Tammie Burden.

A memorial service for Mr. Platt will be held at 1:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends to follow in the Fellowship Hall, Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Calder Baptist Church 1005 North 11^th Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.