Ron Wong was born in Sacramento, California in 1947 and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1960.
A proud Vietnam Veteran, Ron served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970. Following his service, he began a long and dedicated career at FedEx, where he worked from 1975 until his retirement in 2019.
Fishing was not only Ron’s lifelong passion but also his mission. With over 70 years of fishing experience, his greatest objective was to help sustain our natural resources for future generations while growing the sport he loved. Ron accomplished this through countless contributions as a media personality, photographer, and outdoors advocate.
He was a fixture in the Mid-South outdoors community, serving as a beloved contributor and co-host on the Outdoors with Larry Rea radio program for 18 years. He also appeared as Guest Host of Mid-South Outdoors on television, hosted Cable 6 Mid-South Fishing, and was a fishing reporter and contributor for Mid-South Hunting and Fishing News and Mississippi Sportsmen. Ron was also the official photographer and media contributor for the American Crappie Trail, Legends of the Outdoors, and lroutdoors.com.
Ron was the official photographer for the B’n’M Pole Company. Among his many fishing achievements, he remains the only two-time winner of the St. Jude Bass Classic during its individual competition years—an honor that spoke to both his skill and dedication.
Beyond his accomplishments, Ron was known most for his kindness, generosity, and the friendships he built along the way. He was a great friend to everyone who knew him, and his legacy—both on the water and in the hearts of those he touched—will continue to inspire for generations to come.
The legendary Bill Dance wrote: “Ron was a fishing giant here in the Memphis and Mid-South area. There wasn’t a species he wouldn’t fish for nor would he pass up the chance to volunteer for an organization whenever they called. And, as long as we say his name, he will live on with us forever.”
Ron was extremely passionate about introducing people to fishing, especially women and children, as evidenced by his support for and work with junior fishing rodeos.
Ron Wong Legacy Foundation Mission Statement
The Ron Wong Legacy Foundation’s mission is to support the fishing community by bringing together individuals interested in fishing– especially women and children– through education, skills training, resource access, and leadership development.
