Newport Gwent Dragons were saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Davies, a stalwart of both the Dragons and Newport RFC who had been involved with the club and region for over 40 years.
Ron was a regular at Rodney Parade, and assisted the Media department on matchdays. He attended every home game for both teams, including the Dragons match against Connacht. It was upon returning home from this game that Ron passed away.
Ron was born on January 12th 1933. He was born and brought up at 1 Henson Street in Newport. The son of Jack and Mary Davies,. he was second youngest of five brothers and sisters (John, Peggy, Graham and Joan).
Ron was a widower following the death of his wife Jean on April 2nd 2009. Ron and Jean were married at All Saints Church in Newport on June 7th 1958.
In 1947 Ron started work for Whitehead Iron & Steel Ltd in Newport as a junior clerk. He Completed his National Service in the RAF between 1951 1nd 1953. Soon after their marriage, Ron and Jean moved to London in October 1959, where Ron worked for Godins Ltd latterly British Steel as a sales representative. They lived in Croydon where in 1964 there son David was born.
In 1977 Ron was offered relocation with British Steel to Llanwern Steelworks in Newport. He jumped at the chance to move back to Newport and in July 1977, on the weekend of the Queens Silver Jubilee, he and the family moved back to Newport.
Ron took early retirement from British Steel in January 1993 allowing him more time to be involved with Rodney Parade. Rodney Parade soon became his spiritual home and he was never happier than when he was at the club.
During the 1950’s Ron played rugby for Newport United with a short spell playing for Chepstow Rugby Club.
He was very much involved with Newport Athletic Rugby Club, Newport Rugby Football Club Committee and latterly Newport Gwent Dragons. Ron was a member of the Black and Amber’s former players association and could always be seen sat in the Hazel Stand amongst his friends and former players during home matches. He regularly helped out in the media centre before and after matches and was well-known by the journalists he looked after on a matchday.
Ron leaves a son David, daughter in-law Claire and Granddaughter Emma.
There will be a memorial event at Rodney Parade with details to be announced.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him
There will be a memorial event at Rodney Parade with details to be announced.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him
