Age 62, Elkton, Va.
Ronald Lee Haney, 62, of Elkton, Virginia, was born May 22, 1962, in Staunton, Virginia, and was the son of the late Joseph Norman Haney and Penny Ann Ford Haney.
Haney was the main character of many urban legends and unbelievable true stories from the time he was old enough to run around or pick up a skateboard.
Haney graduated with the final class of Elkton High School in 1980 and later served in the Navy for a couple of years before skateboarding/hitchhiking home across the United States. Throughout his life, he was a skilled hunter, legendary angler, and although his fish grew bigger each time he told the story, he has many pictures to prove his once-in-a-lifetime catches. He loved to spend time in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia and to take along anyone brave enough to accompany him on a potentially multi-day excursion.
Haney was also a family man; he was a loving son, father, brother, husband, and friend. On July 8, 2023, he married his long-time love, Karen Dean, with whom he enjoyed many good meals, road-trips, and being well-loved. He said those were the happiest years he ever had. Haney was very proud of his kids, sister, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. His love of family extended to his large circle of friends and community—nobody was a stranger. He eagerly shared his love and vast knowledge of the outdoors and music with everyone around him.
He is well-known for his fiddling, harmonica-playing, and lively presence at many bluegrass jams, worship band performances, and Sunday mornings at Journeys Crossing. He was a faithful member of the Shenandoah Assembly of God Church.
He passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. He is survived by his wife Karen Dean; brother-in-law, Scotty Dean; son, Zachary McDorman; daughter, Sydney Haney and partner, Celia; grandson, Landon McDorman; sister, Shelley Garrison and husband, Anthony; nephew, Jake Garrison; nieces, Brooklyn and Abby Garrison; his stepson, Chad Blosser and wife, Lara, and step-grandsons, Trenton and Easton, who he always treated as his own. He is also survived by his spoiled dog Sunny.
If you look carefully, you might still catch a glimpse of Ol’ Haney coming off that mountain on his skateboard or casting his line in the Shenandoah. He will be dearly missed but will live on in the stories we tell and the music we share.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Shenandoah Assembly of God Church with Pastor Carter Dean and Minister Jay Viands officiating. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life meal in the church social hall. Bring a story to share or an instrument to play; all are welcome.
Please do not send flowers; instead, consider donating to Haney’s favorite radio station in the whole world: Allegheny Mountain Radio (the only email he ever voluntarily sent was to tell them how much he loved their radio station).
Allegheny Mountain Radio, 9836 Browns Creek Road, Dunmore WV 24934
Arrangements are being handled by the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, Va.
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