Ron Massa

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald L Massa, age 77 passed from this side of eternity, surrounded by family at 5:53 pm July 4th 2021. Cancer did not take his life. This decision was made by Jesus Christ, for his timing is perfect and this was Ron’s prayer.

Ron was born April 10, 1944 in Joplin to Antone Joseph Massa and Dorothy Mae (Headlee) Massa also of Joplin. 

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 then 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 5 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 4 years to join the Joe Smith Tobacco Co where he spent the next 6 years as vice president of sales. 

In 1986 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 V.P. 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 married Sue Phillips in 1976. she survives, and also three children, Son Jon Phillips of Chattanooga, Tn, his wife Courtney, Daughter Shani Byler and her husband Christopher of Carl Junction, Mo., and son Mario and his wife Autumn of Joplin, Mo , grandchildren : Sasha, Stephanie and husband Jake, Samuel, and Zakkery , four great-grandchildren, Liam, Elliot, Dillon, and Laken; sister Terri Martin and her husband Jim of Carterville, Mo, nieces Angie Baugh and Melissa Camden of Carthage, and Vicky Spear, Stacy Craine, and Kelly Hance of Columbus, Ks

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, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in Forest Park Baptist Church with Dr. John Swadley officiating. The family will receive friends at the Forest Park Baptist Church prior to the memorial service from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary in Joplin. Ron’s body may be viewed Parker’s for those not able to attend funeral services during normal business hours on Wednesday and Thursday. Burial will be at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery at a later time.

The family wishes to thank Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Parker Mortuary, Integrity Hospice Services, Dr Samir Dalia, Oncology at Mercy Hospital, and Dr. Stephen Meyer, Cardiology at Mercy Hospital, also Forest Park Baptist Church all for their kindness, professionalism, and personal care.

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.