Ronald Blasingame
August 2, 1949 — September 22, 2009
Ronald Blasingame
Ronald Brooks Blasingame, beloved husband of Kathleen, devoted father of Julie Blasingame Tucker, Brooks, Katie and Rosie, died Tuesday, September 22, 2009. He was born August 2, 1949 to the late Charles Brooks Blasingame and Betty Lou Baggett. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike and Gary Blasingame and his beloved grandson, Joshua Tucker.
Ron, a founding partner in the Whole Hog Café, grew up in Levy in North Little Rock and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1967. He was proud to have served in the Marines before being honorably discharged due to his worsening hearing problems.
In the mid-1990's, Ron began his search for the perfect smoker from which he would be able to produce the perfect barbecued ribs. From the Trash-B-Que to the bright red Green Egg trailer to the Old Hickory smokers now installed at all the Whole Hogs, he never stopped experimenting and perfecting his equipment and recipes.
He caught the competitive spirit while serving as a certified barbecue judge on the Memphis in May and Kansas City barbecue circuits. In the 1990's, he and several friends, including his long-time best friend, Jim Bishop, began competing as "The Southern Gentlemen's Culinary Society." They went on to win numerous trophies which are displayed in the Whole Hog restaurants. The team's proudest moment came in 2002 when they won First Place in Whole Hog and Second Place in Ribs at the Memphis-in-May World Championship.
Ron, always the entrepreneur, wanted to see if people would actually pay for his barbecue. The Whole Hog Café started out as a barbecue trailer parked at the former Exxon station at the foot of Cantrell Hill. After three weeks, Ron was convinced he had a winning business concept and immediately got to work on opening an actual restaurant.
In August 2000, he and fellow team-members, Steve Lucchi and Mike "Sarge" Davis opened the original Whole Hog. Since then, a dozen locations have been established around Arkansas and as far away as New Mexico.
Ron leaves his grieving family and many friends who will sadly miss his generous spirit and wonderful sense of humor. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Mount St. Mary's Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh, Little Rock or to the Francis Allen School, 824 N. Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Visit Ron's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Ron, a founding partner in the Whole Hog Café, grew up in Levy in North Little Rock and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1967. He was proud to have served in the Marines before being honorably discharged due to his worsening hearing problems.
In the mid-1990's, Ron began his search for the perfect smoker from which he would be able to produce the perfect barbecued ribs. From the Trash-B-Que to the bright red Green Egg trailer to the Old Hickory smokers now installed at all the Whole Hogs, he never stopped experimenting and perfecting his equipment and recipes.
He caught the competitive spirit while serving as a certified barbecue judge on the Memphis in May and Kansas City barbecue circuits. In the 1990's, he and several friends, including his long-time best friend, Jim Bishop, began competing as "The Southern Gentlemen's Culinary Society." They went on to win numerous trophies which are displayed in the Whole Hog restaurants. The team's proudest moment came in 2002 when they won First Place in Whole Hog and Second Place in Ribs at the Memphis-in-May World Championship.
Ron, always the entrepreneur, wanted to see if people would actually pay for his barbecue. The Whole Hog Café started out as a barbecue trailer parked at the former Exxon station at the foot of Cantrell Hill. After three weeks, Ron was convinced he had a winning business concept and immediately got to work on opening an actual restaurant.
In August 2000, he and fellow team-members, Steve Lucchi and Mike "Sarge" Davis opened the original Whole Hog. Since then, a dozen locations have been established around Arkansas and as far away as New Mexico.
Ron leaves his grieving family and many friends who will sadly miss his generous spirit and wonderful sense of humor. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Mount St. Mary's Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh, Little Rock or to the Francis Allen School, 824 N. Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Visit Ron's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Blasingame, please visit our flower store.
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