MACON, GA (BRAIN)—Ronnie Thomson didn't live to see 69 this Thursday, but he did live long enough to touch everyone in the bicycle industry including most of all his employees.
"Ronnie always said the best marketing was to have the best product," said The L.H. Thomson Company marketing manager David Parrett. "He expected the very best out of all of us and anyone who did business with us."
Thomson passed away in the middle of the night at his home over the weekend.
Parrett said that Thomson was recovering from bladder cancer, but said his "sudden" death had nothing to do with that, and more likely was a "stroke or heart attack."
"Ronnie was always like a father figure," said Karen Glass, accounts coordinator for the company, who had known Thomson for almost 10 years. "I know this will be a rough road for the entire Thomson family. The L.H. Thomson company will overcome this. We will continue what you started."
Thomson started the company in 1981 when it only did contract manufacturing for the aerospace industry. It was only in 1995, Thomson began making seatposts, with stems coming later.
Ronnie Thomson Appreciation Day is still schedule for this weekend, but it will hold a different meaning for everyone involved this year.
"People usually bring handmade birthday cards, but now they will be bringing handmade condolence cards," Parrett said. "It will be a little more of a memorial this year."
Thomson is survived by his wife, Margaret, two children, Brian and Amy Holaday, and four grandchildren.
For full story on Thomson check out the February issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
—Jason Norman
