CLAYTON, NY —Â Ronald A. Priestly, 75, Clayton, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown where he had been a resident for several months.
Ron was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Schuylerville, NY, the son of Howard and Adah Holloway Priestly.
He graduated in 1965 from Alexandria Bay High School.
Ron joined the United States Army in 1967 serving in Vietnam. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1969. Ron then served with the Military Reserve Force for the following four years.
He began a career as a civilian employee in 1973 at Fort Drum until his retirement in 1994.
In his younger years, Ron enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing. He was a private and simple man. In recent years, Ron enjoyed walking in his neighborhood in Clayton.
He is survived a brother Frederick Priestly, Cape Vincent and Fred’s grandson Derek; three nieces Kathy (Denny) Lane, Marty (Tim) Ryan and Sandy (Don) Hogan all of Dexter; several great nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, a sister, Gertrude Millet, a brother, James Priestly, brother-in-law, Tom Millet and a sister-in-law Dolores Fitzsimmons.
Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter. It was his wish to be cremated. There will be no calling hours or funeral service. A spring burial will take place in Omar Cemetery.
Donations may be made to National Nieman-Pick Disease Foundation at NNDPE P.O Box 49 Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0049 or The Parkinson’s Foundation at P.O. Box 61420 Staten Island, NY 10306.
Family and friends can leave condolences at www.dexterfuneralhome.com