Ronald Francis Layman

Ronald Francis Layman,57, Union Bridge, Maryland, was born March 29, 1966. On April 30, 2023, Ron passed on after a 20-month fight due to complications from a brain injury. 

Ron was the son of Richard H. and the late F. Lillian Orndorff Layman. As well as his Dad, Ron is survived by the love of his life, Sharon (Farver), his wife; daughters, Sarah and Katey, and grandchildren Lillian and Damian. Ron was also Pappy to his stepchildren Tonya, Everett, and Melissa, as well as their children Abbey, Noah, and Chloe. Ron will be missed by many, especially his brother, Rick and children, and sister, Lori and her husband, Todd. He shared a special relationship with his in-laws Patsy Harris, Maurice 'Mo' Farver, and John Harris, as well as childhood friend Paul Starkey. 

Ron lived his entire life within 15 miles of his birthplace on the family dairy farm on Good Intent Road.

Ron was a 1984 graduate of Walkersville High School, where he was a member of the FFA. Ron enjoyed a lifelong interest in history, especially the Civil War era. He also enjoyed fishing.  His children and grandchildren have fond memories of day trips to battlefields, area mountains and streams and the pond. Ron shared a lifelong love of trains with his Mom. In his early twenties, he began a career on the railroad that continued into his early fifties. His first railroad job was with Maryland Midland doing track maintenance. He later went to work for Jeff Herig at DJR, where he became a railroad signal and crossing installer, performing maintenance and installations on railroads running up and down the Eastern states. Ron and Jeff became and remained friends until the end. Ron's last job was with CJ Miller as a dump truck operator. He was greatly respected for his strong work ethic. 

One of Ron's greatest pleasures was music. He enjoyed classic rock, and in later years made the remark that he was becoming fond of country music because it was more like his life. To say Ron was an avid Grateful Dead fan was an understatement; he enjoyed nothing more than attending a concert or hanging out with his dog, Ripple, while chilling to Dead music, grilling, tending his vegetable garden, caring for his chickens, or puttering in his shop. In his final days, he smiled at the thought of the band in heaven and a chance to sit in with Jerry and the celestial musicians. The family would like to thank the Union Bridge Fire Department and the Medevac team for their quick response the morning Ron fell.  They would also like to express their gratitude to the teams at Shock Trauma University Maryland Medical Center and the Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center.  Sincere thanks go to the caring and professional staff at Autumn Lake at Birch Manor Rehabilitation, Sykesville, MD, where Ron resided for the past 16 months. Their gratitude is also extended to BridgingLife Hospice of Carroll County for the compassionate care during Ron's final weeks. The family expresses appreciation to the many friends and family who prayed and supported the family through Ron's journey. 

A private celebration of life cookout will be held at a later date. At that time the family will gather to share memories, grilled food, and good music. 

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