Ronald Fredrick Tulppo
March 25, 1939 - May 1, 2024
CLEARWATER, FL — It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald Fredrick Tulppo announce that he has crossed over to his heavenly home at Bellair Health Center in Clearwater, Florida on May 1, 2024 at the age of 89 years old. His sister Gail and his nephew, Derek were there by his sde comforting him, singing hymns, reminding him of his childhood at the family cottage on Lake Superior where he and his dad built the family compound at Big Betsy, cutting down trees, grinding stumps and having bonfires every night to burn all of the trees they cut down. Then onto building the buildings with no electricity, what a job that must have been. Thank you Ron for doing that. Your sister, Gail loves that place so much, calling it her favorite place on earth.
Ron was born March 25, 1939 in Laurium MI. The oldest of 3 children born to Eino and Eleanor Tulppo. He graduated from Calumet High School in 1952, playing football, but especially loved playing basketball the best. If any of you shop at Pat’s in Calumet, you can see Ron in a picture with his basketball team above the coolers.
After graduating, he attended Michigan Technical University studying drafting. He heard his calling to the Armed Forces and joined the Coast Guard. He was first called to Port Huron, MI and then onto the Coast Guard station in Cleveland. While there he met the love of his life, a fiery redhead named Kay Krause. They were married there before getting tranferred to Norfolk, Virginia. Kay and Ron adopted a son there, they named Eric George Tulppo.
After 20 years in the service they retired to Clearwater, FL where they knew the temperature would be very warm, but they would not have to shovel snow ever again. Ron retired as a Master Chief Storekeeper. He then spent 20 years as the office manager for Tab Office Products in Tampa. Ron was very proud of his years in the Coast Guard, listening to him talk about it, you knew he made the right choice. Kay and Ron bought a condo in Destin where they loved driving to several times a year. He loved fresh fish and seafood, taking an opportunity to eat it often.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, his wife Kay, and only child, Eric. Also passing before him were his nephew Paul Parkinen and his nieces, Marnie and Kristie Parkinen.
Ron is survived by his sisters Marlene (Robert) Davison of Green Bay, Gail (Richard) Parkinen of Ishpeming, MI. Nieces Vicki Harkey, Sandy (Dwayne) Davison Fletcher, Becky (Ray) Davison Krusic and Brooke (Eric) Parkinen Peterson, nephews Mike (Cheryl) Davison and Derek Parkinen who has taken on the job of handling all of his uncle Ron’s affairs since he lives in Clearwater also. Derek was a special nephew of Ron’s, Ron and Kay helped Derek out when Derek moved to Florida after completing his Navy career. They were like second parents to him and Derek thought the world of them.
Ron’s remains will be scattered per his request at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in St. Petersberg at a later date, with the immediate family attending.