Ronald "Ronnie" Kell

Ronald "Ronnie" Kell age 66 of Troutman, NC was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, to Robert Thomas Kell and Joan Huggins Kell on the January 16th, 1960. In 1966, when his father accepted a new position with Dantzler Boat & Barge, the family relocated to Pascagoula, Mississippi. Ronnie began his life in Mississippi at Sacred Heart Elementary School. He often laughed about arriving with a British accent and quickly having to learn "redneck" to fit in. This he loved deeply. His quick wit, warm personality, and ability to make friends stayed with him throughout his life. The Kell family were lifelong Catholics and devoted members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Ronnie's faith in God, his love for the Catholic Church, and his commitment to his family remained the foundation of his life. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Divine Mercy and believed their intercession guided him throughout his life's journey. Ronnie graduated from Our Lady of Victories High School, now Resurrection Catholic High School, in 1979. Shortly after graduation, his father suffered a heart attack and underwent open-heart surgery. Ronnie postponed his own educational plans to help operate the family's business, Boat City Marina, while his father recovered. Once his father's health improved, Ronnie enrolled at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he earned an associate degree and graduated second in his class. His outstanding portfolio quickly earned him his first professional position with Blair Graphics. There he learned every aspect of the creative process, from concept through final production, establishing the foundation for an extraordinary creative career. Ronnie went on to become Creative Director for the National Cheerleaders Association, designing nationally distributed cheerleading uniforms and catalogs for high schools and colleges throughout the United States. He later joined JCPenney as Creative Director, where he helped elevate both the Missy Fashion division and the Home division through innovative creative leadership. He was then recruited by Frontgate in Middletown, Ohio, to serve as Creative Director for its specialty catalogs. During his tenure, Ronnie successfully launched the Grandin Road catalog along with several specialty publications that became an important part of the Frontgate family of brands. While working with Frontgate, Ronnie met Darryl Lee Polzot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership built on love, friendship, faith, laughter, and unwavering devotion to one another. Ronnie later returned to JCPenney and worked there on the tabloid Sunday paper advertising before continuing his distinguished career as Creative Director for Eddie Bauer men's division in Seattle, WA, Creative Director for Mrs. Fields Cookies, in Salt Lake City, UT, Director of Online Creative for The Home Depot in Atlanta, GA, and ultimately Executive Vice President of Creative for FootSmart in Atlanta, GA, where he concluded his corporate career. A few years later, Ronnie and Darryl returned to Pittsburgh to lovingly care for Darryl's father during his battle with pancreatic cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they were welcomed into the home of their dear friends, Scott and Sally Cunningham, whose friendship and generosity became one of life's greatest blessings. They helped us through the passing of Darryl's Father and later Darryl's Mother and encouraged us to retire and set our lives into an area we would love to be close to family and able to travel. Following retirement, Ronnie and Darryl relocated to Troutman, North Carolina. Retirement, however, proved short-lived. Together they founded R&D Creative Florals, a luxury floral design studio creating outstanding floral creations serving their wonderful friends in the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas. In October of 2023, Ronnie was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic prostate cancer. With unwavering faith, remarkable courage, and the loving support of Darryl, family, and friends, Ronnie continued to celebrate life. Together they traveled the world, created beautiful floral designs, cherished every season, and embraced each day as a gift. Ronnie fought a courageous four-year battle with prostate cancer and entered into eternal rest on Monday, September 7, 2026. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ronnie will be remembered for the way he made people feel. He possessed a quiet generosity, a warm sense of humor, and an extraordinary eye for beauty. Whether creating breathtaking floral designs, welcoming friends into his home, planning unforgettable Christmas celebrations, or simply offering encouragement to someone in need, Ronnie believed every act of kindness reflected God's love. His greatest joy was never found in the basics he strived for the best of the best always. He was recognized in loving others, sharing life's beauty, and pointing people toward faith, hope, and compassion. He lived with gratitude, treasured lifelong friendships, and remained deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother and the Divine Mercy throughout his life. Those who knew Ronnie will remember a man whose gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and generous heart left every life a little brighter. Ronnie is survived by his beloved partner in life, Darryl Lee Polzot; his twin brother, Robert Kinne Kell and his wife Cary; his two sisters, Carolyn Kell Giles and her husband Alec, and Melanie Kell Glasser; and his cherished nieces and nephews. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Thomas Kell and Joan Huggins Kell, and by his brother-in-law, Lee Glasser. Ronnie will be remembered not only for his remarkable creative vision and professional accomplishments, but also for his kindness, generosity, unwavering faith, and the genuine love he extended to family, friends, and all whose lives he touched. He believed beauty was a gift from God, that every person deserved dignity and compassion, and that the greatest legacy one could leave was a life lived in faithful service to Christ. He fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and now rests in the eternal embrace of Our Lady the Blessed Mother and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If Ronnie could leave one final message, it would simply be this: "Travel the world, Love God with all your heart, cherish your family and friends, never miss an opportunity to show kindness, and never lose hope, for God's mercy is greater than any trial we face." In lieu of flowers his wish was to have a memorial contribution to his GoFundMe account to fulfill his last wishes and charities.https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ronnies-roros-fight-against-prostate-cancer. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, NC is proudly serving the Kell family.

Ronald "Ronnie" Kell

January 16, 1960 - September 7, 2026