Reynolds Ford Bond, Merritt Island

Reynolds "Ron" Ford Bond, 73, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2009. Ron was born September 4, 1936 to D. Ford and Mary Elizabeth Bond, in Brooklyn, NY, and in 1972 married his wife of 37 years, Agnes Marie Jones.

Ron served in the US Army from 1956 - 1960, and in the USAF from 1962 until his retirement as Master Sergeant in 1984. He was highly decorated receiving the Master Missleman Badge, USAF Good Conduct Medal with six devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Non-Commissioned Professional Military Educator Ribbon, USAF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five devices, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal with one device.

After his retirement, Ron continued his career working on the Space Shuttle Program with Martin Marietta at Vandenberg AFB, CA until transferring to KSC in 1988. Ron was a current employee of United Space Alliance. He received his Bachelors Degree from LaVerne University and was a Past Commander of the Cocoa Beach Power Squadron. Ron leaves behind his wife, Agnes Marie; daughters, Kelly Irwin and Shele Kistle (David); granddaughters, Emily and Gabriella Irwin and Katherine and Megan Kistle, all of Merritt Island; sister, Marylyn MacKay of Little Neck, NY; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2009 from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a Celebration of His Life at Grace Methodist Church on Merritt Island. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Nettie, WV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Rons name to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, 8060 Spyglass Hill Rd., Viera, FL 32940.