THREE RIVERS, Mich. — Ronald Max "Ron" Linton, 84, of Three Rivers, passed away early Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, at the Center for Hospice Care, Elkhart.

A native of Elkhart, Ron was born Aug. 14, 1933, to the late Arshal J. and Margaret E. (Hardy) Linton.

Ron married Jean Vaughn on April 23, 1994, in Three Rivers.

Jean survives, as well as a blended family of loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, including, Cathy (Dale) Snow, Leslie (Dan) Miller, Rhonda Linton; also Ed (Lisa) Vaughn, Michael (Cheryl) Vaughn, Susan Vaughn; also 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Donald Linton, Larry (David) Linton, Roby Robinson and Johnny (Cory) Linton; and sister Susie Linton.

Ron was preceded in death by his son Steve Linton, and brother Karl Robinson.

Ron served many years as a lieutenant of the Elkhart Police Department and is still a member of the FOP.

After the Palm Sunday tornados, he led the motorcycle escort for President Lyndon B. Johnson as he visited the devastation.

On the way to the airport in South Bend, they were to hand off the escort to SBPD, but LBJ insisted Ron's unit continue leading.

As President Johnson boarded Air Force One, he shook Ron's hand, thanking him for his service.

Ron was the owner of the Dock Restaurant at Eagle Lake, where many will remember him tossing money on the ceiling for donations to charitable causes.

Ron also helped his three grandsons continue running Michiana Monument for several years after his son, Steve, died in a tragic airplane accident.

Ron was also well known and loved as "Santa Claus," a role he took great pride in over the past 20 years.

Ron enjoyed sports, especially the Cubs and ND.

Ron also collected vintage trucks and even had his own fire truck at one time.

A service to celebrate the life of Ron Linton will begin at noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.

Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m.

Private family burial will follow in Reams Norton Cemetery, Cassopolis.

The family kindly requests no flowers.

Please consider memorials to the Hospice Foundation in Ron's name.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send a condolence to the family.