Rev. Dr. Leonard Ranson (1931-2022)

RANSON, CLASS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/15/2022 at 18:11:03

Rev. Dr. Leonard “Doc” Ranson, 90, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022, at his home. Visitation: 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Inurnment will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery near Coggon, Iowa at a later date.

Doc was born on August 23, 1931, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Leonard and Dorothy Ranson. After he graduated from Baltimore City College, Doc went on to Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. On August 1, 1953, Doc was united in marriage to Patricia Class in Baltimore. He was a pastor, a coach, and a businessman. Doc loved proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. He loved each member of each congregation. His passion was athletics. The Duke basketball team and his own Mt. Mercy basketball teams brought him joy and frustration. Doc had many reasons to say “Yeah, God.”

Doc was a member of FCS, Rotary, Milestones, Boy Scouts Board, and Special Olympics. Doc worked for The United Methodist Church as well as many other churches. He also worked at Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and for several other businesses. He retired in June of 2021. Doc will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his children, Ruth (Joe) Dolan, Christy (John) Minnick, and Dotty (George) Harpool; grandchildren, Rachel (Al) Brecht, Sarah (Dave) Meyer, Ben Dolan, and Claire Harpool; great-grandchildren, Josie, Olivia, and Hazel Brecht and Maebel, Paydon, Audra, and Dolan Meyer; dear friend, Rose Elliott and her children, Kerri (Jeff) Matucha, Kim (Robert) Agricola, and Kevin (Jackie) Oujiri; and Rose’s grandchildren, Chantelle Johnson, Samantha (Tyler) MaCaw, Kristin and Alyssa Agricola, and Lecole (Zach) Bell; sister-in-law, Jean Class; and nephews, Bill (Angela), Bob (Kim), and Jon (Danielle) Class.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia; brother-in-law, Pete Class; and siblings, Philip and Miriam.

The family would like to extend a thank you to all of the members of his many congregations. You made an impact on his life. A special thank you goes to the staff at UnityPoint Hospice, UnityPoint Infusion, and Bright Star Services and an extra special thank you to all the Mt. Mercy College women’s basketball teams.

In lieu of flowers, the family would recommend memorials be directed to the following:
Madonna Foundation, 5401 South St, Lincoln, NE 68506 or online at: https://www.madonna.org/payments/donate/one-time. In the drop down box, donors can choose pediatric rehabilitation. St. Jude Children's Hospital or a church of your choice.

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