Ronald Lee Thorson, 72, of Rapid City died Sunday, February 14, 2016 at his home. Ronald was born October 13, 1943 at Canton SD, to Norman and Nila (Tysland) Thorson. He grew up on the family farm south of Canton and attended country schools. He was raised in the Lutheran faith and attended high school in Canton for three years. In 1960, he moved to Belle Fourche where his dad bought a trucking business. He graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1961, attended Black Hills State College for two years, and served in the National Guard. Ron then moved to Rapid City and married Darlene Meyer of Fruitdale on February 25, 1966. They were married for 37 years, a daughter, Angela, and a son, Ryan, were born to this marriage.

Ron was handy as a teenager, so when he wanted a motorcycle like the kids in town, he built one from angle iron and parts lying around the farm. He then went into town and whipped the kids in races on their new bikes. When living in Rapid City, he got a job in the service department at Black Hills Olds-Cadillac, working his way up to service manager and to top salesman. He ordered a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 (nicknamed Mother Skunk) due to its black-and-white paint scheme. He showed his excellent tuning abilities by winning on the street and dragstrip, racing against some of the top names in the nation. He became a national record holder in the process. Car guys would come from all over the Black Hills to have Ron super-tune their muscle cars. He was also an outstanding snowmobile rider and tuner. After the 1972 flood destroyed the Oldsmobile dealership, he started driving semi-trucks with his dad, eventually taking over the business. Ron had an exceptional memory, loved popcorn and movies, watching his favorite movies many times.

Ronald is survived by his children, Angela Thorson and son Jaxon, Colorado Springs, CO; and Ryan Thorson (Nikki Potter) and their daughter Hailey, Rapid City; mother, Nila Thorson, Belle Fourche; one brother, Steven (Tobi) Thorson, Belle Fourche; and one sister, Noreen (Clarence) Aadland, Belle Fourche.

He was preceded in death by his father, infant brother and both sets of grandparents.

Services will be held at 3PM, Friday, February 19, 2016 at First Congregational Church in Rapid City with Ryan and Erin Schendzielos officiating. Cremation has taken place and burial will be at a later date.