Ronald Batten

Ronald Batten, retired auto executive, loving husband and father of three, died of cancer Wednesday, March 22nd at the age of 78. Born into humble beginnings as the youngest of nine children in Bryan, TX, Ron grew to be a four-sport athlete at Stephen F. Austin High School and a cadet at his beloved Texas A&M University. While still a 19-year-old college student, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jacqueline Mallard, and the two would stay together for the rest of his life.

Ron started his career at Ford Motor Company in Memphis, TN, before joining Dobbs Family Automotive where he was trained in dealership management. The Batten family moved to Jacksonville, FL, in 1978 where Ron served as General Manager at Westside Toyota before founding Orange Park Toyota in 1982. He went on to manage several other dealerships in Buffalo, NY, Jackson, MS, and Sugarland, TX, before returning to the Jacksonville area to be Operations Director for the Garber Auto Mall in Green Cove Springs.

Ron loved football and was a passionate fan of his alma mater, Texas A&M, as well as the Florida Gators. He was active in the community as a Charter Member and former Club President of the Rotary Club of Orange Park, a parishioner and former Treasurer of the Orange Park United Methodist Church and a former President of the Daniel’s Landing Eagle Harbor Community Association. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jacqueline Mallard Batten; three children, Carlton Batten, Sarah Batten Crocker and Joel Batten; and three grandsons, Jesse, Brooks and Cooper Batten.