In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 31, 2023, Ronald "Ronny or Ron" Wayne Tapley, 67, of Shreveport, LA, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Ron was the eldest child of Robert "Bob" G. Tapley, Jr. and the late Patsy S. (Day) Tapley. In addition to his sweet mother Patsy, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Robert G. Tapley, Sr. and Valena M. (Simmons) Tapley, maternal grandparents Thomas E. Day and Anna K. (Price) Day, beloved stepmother Dorothy A. "Dot" (Brown) Tapley, stepbrother Michael "Mike" Renfro, stepsister Virginia A. "Susie" (Renfro) Meade, and Uncle Stephen E. "Steve" Tapley. Ron is survived by his father Bob and his wife Claudy, as well as his uncles Philip A. Tapley, Byron L. Tapley, Douglas E. "Doug" Tapley, and Donald D. "Don" Tapley and their families, his aunt Patricia A. "Trish" (Tapley) Irwin and her family, his sister Teresa A. (Tapley) Shiflet and husband Curtis, his brother James A. Tapley and wife Sheila, nieces Angela (Shiflet) Headrick and her family, Robyn (Meade) Ritter and her family, nephew Jason Shiflet, and numerous cousins, friends, and other extended family members.

Ron was born April 5, 1956, in Holdenville, OK, and he had an interest in the natural world from the start. Whether it was pigeon keeping, entomology, or the art of gardening, Ron wanted to know about, tend to, and protect it all. After graduating from Irving High School (Irving, TX) in 1974, he even pursued collegiate studies to expand his knowledge in horticulture and curation. He was every bit an archeologist, geologist, and biologist all rolled into one. In the early 1980s, he firmly planted his roots in Shreveport, LA, where he would spend the remainder of his life growing his forever home near his adored friends and companions. Inspired by working at a fish hatchery in his early adult life, Ron kept one of the biggest and most beautiful tropical fish aquariums in his home many years ago.

He was genuinely dedicated to his Ellis Pottery family since he first joined them in 1991. For over three decades he was a warm, authentic, and deeply caring presence there, and his absence will be mourned by customers and fellow employees alike, for a long time. They all knew a gruff exterior could never hide the true caring nature of his heart.

Investigating, appreciating, and preserving the past was a real calling for Ron. An avid collector & curator of many things, he never shied away from the hunt for rare or beautiful artifacts, and he delighted in gifting found treasures to his loved ones. From ancient shark teeth, arrowheads, and unique glass wares (specifically Vaseline glass) to hand carved trinkets and one-of-a-kind antiques, each new discovery was a chance to create another exquisite display. Ron had the soul of an artist, a wondrous and beautiful trait inherited from his mother.

Ron had no use for modern technology or gadgets; he found solace in the simplicity of face-to-face conversations, and his spirit yearned to commune with nature. He lived mindfully and openly shared his passions with all those around him. He was so easy-going, and when he would wrap his arms around you in a big bear hug, it was as if the Earth itself was embracing you; tranquil, nurturing, and full of unconditional love.

That boisterous laugh of his could be heard around the world (if it didn't startle you first), and his snarky sense of humor was perfectly matched to his many, many pranks. (Just ask his sister and brother.) But his eyes would light up when given the chance to share the knowledge he had acquired in all his years of learning. And he was handsome too - even rumored to favor a certain mustached celebrity who did some private investigating in the 80's. He was a man of exceptional talent and artistic vision, who sought to admire and honor everything that surrounded him. Simply put, he was a charming, gifted, kind, and generous friend and visionary who will be dearly missed.

In honor of Ron's life, a memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 2:00pm at the address below.

Aulds Funeral Home

7849 East Kings Highway

Shreveport, LA 71115

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations be made in Ron's name to the Shreveport Garden Study Club or the Louisiana Archaeological Society, as an expression of sympathy.

https://www.gcamerica.org/contribute/form/fund/conservation

https://www.laarchaeologicalsociety.org/