Ronald L. Hively, 77 of Daytona Beach, FL, died peacefully at home after a long battle with melanoma cancer on December 31st .

Ron was born in Walton WV, but he spent the majority of his adult life in Daytona Beach FL. He graduated from Dunbar High School where he played football and basketball. He continued to play basketball at West Virginia State College where he received his bachelor's degree. His master's degree from Stetson University came later when he moved to Daytona Beach, where he joined a league and played basketball and softball well into his early 50's. He loved all sports, but particularly college football, and especially the Florida State Seminoles! Go Noles!

Ron is survived by longtime soulmate and wife of 16 years, Kimberly Brandon-Hively, his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Susan Hively of Daytona Beach, and his sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Kenneth Hudnall, of Scott Depot WV, who have 2 married children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Ron is predeceased by his parents, Buck and Thelma Hively, of Daytona Beach.

Ron's 40-year-career at the Kennedy Space Center began at Northrop Grumman, with the the Gemini, Mercury, and Apollo programs. But he was most proud of his role in the Shuttle Program working for Rockwell International. One of his proudest career accomplishments was when he and his team led the charge to transfer Orbiter Logistics (shuttle maintenance) from Los Angeles, CA to the Kennedy Space Center, bringing with it several hundred jobs. He proudly credits his employees and the team who supported him in this monumental move.

Ron and his wife, Kimberly retired together from the space center in 2004 to travel, play tennis, fish, and watch as much ESPN as possible, the former two activities with his wife and the latter two with his son, who like his father, was also an avid Seminoles fan. Although he loved to play tennis with his wife, he also played regularly with fellow tennis club members, all of whom will miss him dearly. Everyone who knew Ron loved him and he will be terribly missed!

He was the gentlest and kindest man in the world. I'd like to thank our little family (Greg and Susan), as well as hospice for helping so much those last several days. It allowed me to spend more time with my soulmate and best friend in the whole world!

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday January 23rd, with a gathering beginning at 1:00pm and the Celebration to begin at 2:00pm at Cardwell, Baggett, and Summers Funeral Home, 3571 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange, FL 32129. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Halifax Hospice of Volusia County.