Ronald Bruce Overson, Sr.

Ronald Bruce Overson, Sr. passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at the Abrazo Heart Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona following a brief illness.  He was 84 years old.  Bruce was born on a Sunday, June 24, 1934, in St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona to his parents, the late Clyde Charles and Viola May (Forrest) Overson.

He attended school in St. Johns. After school he served in the US Army from 1954-1956. Boot camp was in El Paso, Texas, then he was stationed in Maryland and worked on the installation of the missile system to protect Washington DC. On May 17, 1955, Bruce married Frances Rice and over the years they had four children; Howard, Troy, Shannen and Ron. After his honorable discharge, he worked in Texas and Budville, New Mexico. He returned to his home town and worked for Richey Construction before applying to be a Highway Patrolman in 1959.

After graduation, he was first stationed in Apache Junction. In 1960, he was transferred to St. Johns. His first patrol car was a Dodge Dart. In 1977, he married Darlene Birdno LeSueur. He served as an Arizona Highway Patrolman for twenty years in several areas and retired in 1979. After retirement from the Highway Patrol, he returned to St. Johns and was hired as a city police officer. He became Chief of Police until he retired in 1998, In 2003, he became The Justice of the Peace. Bruce loved Darlene, family, friends, life, jokes, farming, ranching and St. Johns with all his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Viola, siblings; Howard, Wesley, Bernice, Little Clyde and Arla, granddaughter Marquise Brewer and step son Kevin Brown. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Birdno Overson, sisters: Isabell Nelson and Doreen Richey, and one brother, Clay Overson, children; Howard (Ellen), Troy (Leslie), Shannen Jackson and Ron (Heidi), 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the St. Johns Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000 W. Cleveland Street in St. Johns, Arizona where the visitation will begin one hour prior, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:45 A.M.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the St. Johns Cemetery.