Roland "Ron" Joseph Bessette Jr.

September 18, 1943 – April 8, 2025

Roland (Ron) Joseph Bessette Jr., age 81, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Born in Burlington, Vermont in 1943, Ron was the son of an Army officer, and his early years were shaped by frequent moves across the United States and abroad. His family was stationed at Ft. Ethan Allen (VT), Ft. Dix (NJ), Ft. Knox (KY), Mainz and Frankfurt (Germany), and Ft. Hood (TX). Inspired by his upbringing, Ron joined the U.S. Army and continued the journey of service and travel.

Ron went on to build a successful 22-year career with the Union Pacific Railroad’s Intermodal Trucking Division, serving as a Salesman and Regional Manager. His work took him and his family to Grand Prairie, TX; Wayne, NJ; Boise, ID; Chicago, IL; and back to Texas. A natural entrepreneur, Ron also pursued several business ventures throughout his life—including a t-shirt shop, a photo booth business, a tax preparation company, a Unishippers franchise in Anaheim, CA, and later, a DJ business in both Lake Havasu, AZ and Las Vegas, NV, among other ventures.

Ron resided with his wife in Las Vegas, NV, where they shared many years together.

He loved camping, fishing, hunting, karaoke, being a DJ, and traveling in his RV.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sandy Bessette; his daughter, Rhonda Bessette; his son and son-in-law, Brent (Bessette) Rosinski & Steve Rosinski; his daughter and son-in-law, Tanya (Bessette) Gonzalez & Edmund Gonzalez; and his two grandchildren, Eddie and Nathan Gonzalez. He is also survived by his half-sisters, Connie Barlow and Cheryl Spooner, and his half-brothers, Craig Bessette and Harold Bessette.

Ron was a man of strong opinions and a determined spirit. He carved his own path through life, both professionally and personally, and his legacy will live on through the stories, laughter, experiences, and memories left behind.

Ron will have a marker and some ashes spread at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Cemetery with private military funeral honors in Boulder City, NV, and some ashes will be scattered at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii—also known as the “Punchbowl”—where his father, Roland Joseph Bessette Sr., has a marker.

He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.