Ronald Franklin Vrnak

TYLER — Ron Vrnak, 77, of Tyler, TX, passed away peacefully in Dallas on March 1, 2025, after a long illness. He is survived by his daughter, Jenny Vrnak, of Dallas, and son, Brian Vrnak, of Austin.

Ron was born in Cleveland, OH, where he and his parents lived for a few years before relocating to Fort Worth, TX, for his father’s career at Bell Helicopter. He graduated from Amon Carter-Riverside High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball.

After graduating from Texas Christian University, where he met his wife, Serena, Ron went on to medical school. He did his medical residencies in Queens, NY, and Dallas, TX, before he and his family moved to Tyler, where he would spend most of his life. He was a practicing anesthesiologist at both Mother Frances Hospital and East Texas Medical Center.

An avid TCU alumni and football fan, Ron enjoyed attending as many games as possible, rabidly supporting his beloved Horned Frogs. He was also a private pilot, flying his family down to South Padre Island every summer on vacation. In his retirement, Ron could often be found at Willowbrook Country Club in Tyler, playing golf with his close circle of friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Serena Vrnak; his parents, Frank and Marge Vrnak; and his grandmother, Mabel Hurley.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth, TX, on March 15, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to your local Hospice or the East Texas Food Bank.