Sgt Maj Ronald Ray Boring, Sr.

Ronald Ray Boring, age 75 of Maryville, TN passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 29, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Ruth Graves Boring and Ray C. Boring. Family members left behind to carry on the family legacy are his wife of 39 years, Mary Helen Oechslin Boring; sons, Ronald 'Chip' Boring, Jr. (Bethany) and Samuel Boring; granddaughters Ashley Brown, (Jeremy), Brittany McCormick, Brooke Boring and Raegan Boring; and great grandchildren, Remington and Inara McCormick, Devlin and Claire Brown; brother, Bill Boring and sister, Brenda Elizondo; special sisters-in-law, Kim Oechslin and Tillie Meffert (Paul); several nieces and nephews; and many extended family members, friends and neighbors.

Sergeant Major Boring enlisted in the Marine Corps in June, 1965 and graduated from boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, SC. In 1974 he would return to Parris Island for his most rewarding peacetime assignment as a Drill Instructor. During his enlistment he served with honor, courage and commitment with: Atlantic Fleet Battalion Landing Team (numerous warships) and during the Dominican Republic Crisis; 9 ^th Marine Amphibious Brigade conducting combat operations in South Vietnam; Recruiting Duty in Paducah and Hopkinsville, KY; 1 ^st Air/Naval Gunfire Liaison Company combat duty in Vietnam; Ryukan Armed Forces Police in Okinawa; Drill Instructor, Parris Island, SC; I&I staff in Providence, RI, Operations & Training Officer, (special recognition for the actions in the rescue/recovery operation of the 'blizzard of 78'); MWSG-37, Iwakuni, Japan; School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton 1 ^st Sgt of Company 'C'; School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton 1 ^st Sgt  Student Administration; Marine Security Forces, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA; and  Office of Sergeant Major of Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron-465 'Warhorses'.

His decorations include the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7 ^th Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Sea Service Deployment Medal and the Vietnamese Civic Action Medal.

Upon retirement, Ron and his family moved back to Tennessee. He worked with the 'Blount County After School Program' for several years teaching self-defense to kindergarten through middle school students.

The family will receive friends at Millers Funeral Home in Maryville on Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a service of remembrance by Ron's brothers from the New Providence Masonic Lodge. Interment with full military honors will take place on Friday, November 4, 10 a.m. at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to "Toys for Tots" www.toysfortots.org.