Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-Ford Ronald Otey, affectionately known as “Ron,” passed on November 26, 2024. He was the son of Ford Essex Otey and Elnora Eugenia Charles James Otey. He was born December 15, 1943, in Nashville, TN and was the oldest of three children. Raised in North Nashville where the Otey family has a deeply rooted history in the business community, Ron’s early education included attending St. Vincent de Paul (grades K-8), Wharton Middle School (9th grade), and was a proud 1961 graduate of Pearl High School. Ron attended Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State University) where he majored in Biology and was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (AFROTC) receiving his BS in Biology in 1965, and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Ron went on to serve his country with honor in the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Captain and was a decorated officer. He was stationed in Texas, California, and the Philippines. During the Vietnam War, Ron was a weapons controller assigned with the 964th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with the 552nd Wing’s “College Eye” Task Force in Southeast Asia.
The citation to accompany the Distinguished Flying Cross stated in part that “Captain Otey distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight … while his country was engaged in air operations against a hostile force, on January 17, 1968. Due to Captain Otey’s superlative radar tracking ability and his professional skill in providing timely and accurate vectors, he was successful in providing valuable information to a squadron of United States Air Force fighter interceptors that allowed them to detect, intercept, and ultimately destroy hostile aircrafts on this date. Through his efforts, the United States Air Force Strike Force was able to ingress and egress from hostile territory
without any loss of aircraft.” His commitment to service was a testament to his courage and dedication as evidenced through his assistance in the search and rescue efforts for downed pilots, his position as the Liaison Officer to the Philippine Air Force Defense and directing aerial fueling of strike aircraft.
Ron shared a passion for genealogy with his late sister, Julia Otey Lee. Together, they traced and studied their great grandparents, Harvey and Phebee Otey family’s lineage dating back to 1794. Together, they became renowned in Nashville for their expertise in genealogical knowledge of Black families from their travels to cities, archives, and cemeteries in eight states collecting information where family members lived. Their research preserved the legacy of their ancestors and served as a source of pride for future generations. Ron served as a board member of the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society and was a member of Pioneer Families of Williamson County, TN.
Family was central to Ron’s life. He was the devoted single father of two daughters – the original girl Dad to Traci and Lisa, who brought him immense pride and joy, as were his two grandchildren Jordan and Mari and step-grandson Dominic. He also found solace and strength in his faith and enjoyed worshiping across several religious denominations – he often referred to himself as a “Baha’i-Baptist” because of his love for the Baha’i Faith which embraces all world-religions.
Ron’s father became a member of the Baha’i Faith as a youth in 1938, making him one of the early Baha’is in Nashville. His mother declared her belief in Baha’u’llah in 1957, and his two siblings shortly thereafter. Even though Ron attended Baha’i gatherings as a child, as a youth and off-and-on in his adult life, it wasn’t until 2003, when he attended a Baha’i Southern Regional conference in Nashville, at age 60 that he officially became a Baha’i.
Ron had an avid love for music which led him to frequently record songs on cassette tapes and send them to family and friends. He amassed an album collection with over 2000 records that spanned all genres. He played the guitar and was the bass player for the Chimes of Canaan Gospel group since 1957. Reverend Percy Clark, former lead singer of Pilgrim Jubilee and pastor of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church is currently lead singer for the Chimes of Canaan. The group was the winner of the National Gospel Symposium in Washington, DC and performed onstage with famous groups including The Staple Singers, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Pilgrim Jubilee, Shirley Caesar and the Caravans, and many others.
Ron worked at the family-owned real estate business, Otey’s Real Estate Agency, with his beloved cousin John H. Otey, Jr., for over 30 years. Ron loved Nashville and was very well-known in the community. Wherever he went, he was lovingly greeted by friends and family. One of Ron’s many positive traits were his kindness, smile, laughter, comforting words, and
being the epitome of a true gentleman. He maintained regular contact with his friends and family by visiting, calling, or writing to them and when his friends passed away, Ron made it a point to attend their funeral or memorial service.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Ford and Elnora (James) Otey, his sister Julia (Otey) Lee, brother-in-law Curtiss Roger Lee, and niece Anika Michelle James.
Ron leaves behind to celebrate his life his children: Traci Otey (Jonathan) Blunt and Lisa Otey (Jamal) Spencer; grandchildren Jordan Alexander Otey-Wilson and Mari Elizabeth Blunt and step-grandson, Dominic Burnam; brother Dr. Robert (Mahtaj) James; nieces and nephews Curtiss Lee II, Meredith (Reginald) Freeman, Shawheen (Maia) James, Christopher Lee, and Melinda Aguilera; grand-nieces and nephews Xiomara, Isabella, Cruz, Victoria, and Rosalinda Aguilera, Cassidy and Christa Freeman; Alexander and Zachary Lee; and Astrid James; extended family and a host of friends too numerous to count who will miss his wisdom, humor, and steadfast love.
