Ronald Michael Bogardus, a devoted husband and family man, passed away on January 15, 2026. He was 77 years old. Born on November 23, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, Ronald was the son of Jack Earnest Bogardus and Evelyn Irene Bogardus. He grew up in a close-knit family, being one of five siblings, and spent his childhood primarily in Illinois, with a brief period in Indiana.
Ronald attended public elementary and middle schools before graduating from Lane Tech Prep High School in 1966, an all-boys institution located in Chicago. He began his college education at the University of Illinois, where he completed three semesters before later finishing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature through online courses.
In the early 1970s, Ronald, along with his brother Jack Earnest Bogardus Jr., visited a friend in Boulder, Colorado. After discovering that their friend had moved to California, the brothers decided to continue their journey to the West Coast. They fell in love with California, and Ronald eventually made it his home.
Throughout his life in California, Ronald married and raised a family. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Laura Jean Lyons Bogardus, and their daughter, Jessica Adriana Bogardus. Ronald also leaves behind his granddaughter, Cora Lynn Fesler, and his siblings: Vicki Lee Roche of Deerfield, Illinois, and Richard James Bogardus with his wife Peggy Sue Bogardus of Sacramento, California. He was preceded in death by his brother Jack and sister Diane Marie Woolsey.
Ronald’s legacy will live on through numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins spread across California, Illinois, and Indiana. His family has described him as a loving and supportive figure whose impact will be felt by all who knew him.
Funeral Arrangements and Memorial
Funeral services for Ronald Michael Bogardus will take place on February 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the McCune Garden Chapel, located at 212 Main Street, Vacaville, California. Following the service, a burial will occur at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery, situated at 522 Elmira Road, Vacaville, California.
In memory of Ronald, the family encourages friends and loved ones to honor him with flowers or by planting a living memorial. His commitment to family and community serves as a reminder of the bonds that unite us all.
