of Helena, AR

July 23, 1952 - January 27, 2026

Dr. William Ronald ''Ron'' Frederick, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected ophthalmologist of Helena, Arkansas, passed away at Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after a brief hospitalization.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Brenda Coghlan Frederick of Helena; his children, Leah Pearson (Brian), Resa Frederick, and Dana Frederick; his beloved granddaughter, Zoie; his sister, Anne Henry (John); sisters-in-law Cheryl Hagy (Jim) and Marcia Johnston (Brett); brother-in-law Bobby Coghlan; nephews, Jonathan Henry (Andee), Jay Hagy (Samantha),Robert Coghlan; nieces Beth Henry, Robbie Henry, Jo Henry Marroquin (Mike), and Mary Hagy Walley (Daniel); great-nephews Shea Brown, Jackson Henry, and Jack Hagy; great-nieces Merit Hagy, Madeline Walley, Evelyn Marroquin, and Katie Marroquin; and a deeply respected and special friend, Alberta Mills.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Linnell (Cely).

Ron was born on July 23, 1952, in Cleveland, Mississippi, to Willie Holman Frederick and Gladys Gray Frederick. He graduated from Cleveland High School, where he played trombone in the band and also worked alongside his father on the family farm. Those early years instilled in him a deep appreciation for the land, steady hard work, and a life lived simply and honestly, values he carried throughout his life.

Ron obtained his undergraduate degree from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. He later attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi- where he earned his Doctorate of Medicine. He completed his residency in ophthalmology through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center affiliates/Memphis hospitals and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

In 1977, Ron married Brenda Coghlan. Together they raised three daughters: Leah, Resa and Dana. They enjoyed many years of a home filled with laughter, silliness, and lots of love.

For more than 34 years, Ron practiced ophthalmology in Helena-West Helena, where he served his community with distinction and steadfast dedication. Highly regarded for his clinical skill and professional integrity-he treated every patient with dignity and care, seeing not just their eyes, but also the person behind them.

Outside of medicine, Ron lived a richly textured life of simple pleasures. A lifelong photographer, he built and worked in his own darkroom, processing film by hand and developing black and white pictures. He loved listening to vinyl albums, baking sourdough bread, grilling outside, oil painting, fishing with his girls, and playing harmonica. He shared a special bond with his granddaughter Zoie through their time playing Destiny together. He liked his music loud, a perfectly cooked steak, growing tomatoes, watching storms roll in, and spending hours mowing the grass-content, focused, and perfectly happy in his own company.

Though quiet by nature, Ron had a witty, slightly mischievous and playful spirit. He and his sister Anne shared a legendary, playful rivalry when it came to gift-giving, often competing to give the most memorable, and sometimes outrageous, presents. One such gift, a life-sized outhouse transported to Helena as a housewarming surprise, was unforgettable !

Ron will be remembered for his kindness, dry humor, steady character, and his ability to find beauty in ordinary moments. A service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, February 28, at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Helena.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the research for ALS TDI (https://www.als.net/donate/) in honor of Ron's friend, Jerry Rocconi, or to the charity of your choice.

The family invites all who knew him to remember Ron the next time you turn up a favorite song, taste fresh sourdough bread, smell rain in the air, or pause, if only for a moment, to truly see the world around you.

 

Sign Guestbook

6 Condolence(s)