Ronald James Poplos - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Ronald James Poplos

Born January 22, 1948

Ronald James Poplos, RJ, age 65, of Newark, DE passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, December 31, 2013.

Ron was born in Wilmington, Delaware on January 22, 1948, to the late Charles and Lillian Poplos and was the second of six children. After graduating from Newark High School, he proudly served three years in the US Army and received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a commendation medal before being honorably discharged. Ron was a retired Federal Special Agent, a retired fraud investigator for the State of Delaware Insurance Department, and was most recently employed by INS Regulatory Insurance Services.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing cards with friends and visiting Delaware Park. Ron loved spending time with and playing with his grandsons. Above all else, he was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle who will be dearly missed.

Ron is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane Poplos; daughter, Stacy Poplos Connor (Jim); son, Kyle Poplos; and 4 grandsons, Shane and Tyler Connor and Nicholas and Ryan Poplos.

Friends may call from 5 pm until 7 pm on Tuesday evening, January 7, 2014 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 am on Wednesday morning, January 8, 2014, at the funeral home. Interment will be held privately in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your favorite charity or to Paws for Life, Inc., P.O. Box 407, Chesapeake City, MD 21915 (www.pawsforlife.org), in memory of Ron’s beloved dog, Tyson.

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34 Condolences for Ronald James Poplos

  • you will be missed , but not your pranks you played on me over the years. it is with great sorrow that I am writing this message, many good memories of working together and running in various races years ago. rest in peace Joe mccullough

  • My condolences go out to the Poplos family during this difficult time. As a new special agent assigned to the Wilmington office, RJ was the “go-to guy” for his contacts within the law enforcement and banking communities. I’ll aways hold tight to memories of RJ helping me along, not to mention his quick wit and anecdotes. More importantly, RJ served his country in Vietnam with valor. God bless you, RJ, rest in peace.

    With Deepest Sympathy – Robert Delgado

  • Dear Tom and Diane and your whole family,

    Please know that you have my heartfelt sympathy and prayers in your loss.
    In time, may God comfort you with your many happy memories of this gentleman who clearly lived such a full life of love for family and friends and exemplary service to the community.

    Sr. Mary Beth Read osu

  • I am so sorry for your loss at this very difficult time. RJ was truly one of the nicest and funniest people I have ever known, and I am honored to have been able to call him my friend. We met thirty some years ago when I worked for the Delaware tax office. If it were not for RJ, I do not believe that I would have ever become a Special Agent with IRS. He was directly responsible for helping me obtain the Special Agent position. I just moved back to DE and I am sorry that I will not have the opportunity to reconnect with RJ. RJ you will be missed, but as Joe McCullough states above, not the pranks you use to also involve me in…

    Rest in peace my friend,
    Jackie Zisterer

  • In deep sorrow I offer my condolences to the Poplos family and friends. In our years of playing poker together I thoroughly enjoyed RJ’s humor and competitiveness but mostly the calm composure and constant warmth that he exuded. I doubt that I will ever play cards again without seeing him on the other side of the table…and there is a strange comfort in that. RJ…Too many good memories to ever forget you, my friend!!

    Wayne Surles

  • Thanks for the wonderful memories we will always carry with us. We will miss you forever!

  • We are so very sorry for all of you hearing of your Dad’s passing. Words are of little comfort at times like these. Your memories of your Dad will keep him close to you always. Thinking of you with love, RM

  • Diane, Jackie and I are shocked saddened to see this. We worked with Ron at the Federal Building. Our prayers go out to you and your family for strength in this difficult time.

  • Stacy,
    So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your wonderful memories of your dad will comfort you and bring you peace in the days to come.
    Love, the Todaro family — (Susan and Zachary)

  • Ours deepest condolences in hearing of Ron’s passing; I met Ron when I worked for the Court of Common Pleas then saw him in a poker game at another friends. It was funny we both did a double take like if we’ve known each other for life that’s how he made you feel, we been friends ever since then. I’m going to miss you buddy! ♠️♥️♣️♦️

  • Dear Stacy and family,

    Thinking of you at this difficult time. May your fondest memories keep his spirit with you throughout.

  • It was with profound sadness to hear about Ron’s recent passing. I first met Ron in 1994 when I came aboard as a newly minted agent. I will always remember Ron an excellent “old school” agent and true patriot who provided his country exemplary service. My deepest sympathies go out to the Poplos family during this difficult time. Take care RJ, you will be missed. John Grammatikos.

  • My condolences go out to the entire family for your lost of a wonderful person. I worked with Ron on a few different cases during our careers and he was very professional and always added alot of laughter.
    A true professional who will be missed by all.

  • Diane, Kyle and family,
    I justheard the news and I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family at this very sad time.
    Fran

  • As a federal investigator, I worked with Ron often on different matters. He was generally the first person I would contact at the IRS CID if I thought there was mutual interest. Ron was a great guy, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him, and even more enjoyed his company. My memories of him are all fond and pleasant. We should all leave that sort of impression on others.
    My sincere condolences to the family. Ron will be missed by many of us.

  • I knew Ron through my employment at the Internal Revenue Service. He and the other Special Agents, were a close group, well respected by our employees as well as other law enforcement agencies. Ron was always friendly and never too busy to take a minute to say hi. My sincerest sympathy to his family.

  • So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. It has been a long time since we talked but I really enjoyed working with you at Wilmington Trust. You will be in our prayers. God Bless and comfort you now and always.

    Love and Prayers
    Barb and Ray

  • Diane, Stacy, Kyle and Family,
    I cry because he will be missed and smile remembering all that he did. His proudest moments were talking about his family. His legacy is his beautiful family, his work ethic and his ability to find humor, no matter the situation.
    God Bless him.

    Joe S.

  • Diane,
    So sorry to read about your loss. Sending my sincere sympathy to you and your family. You are in my prayers. Love Myra Wisniewski

  • Diane, my sincerest condolences on Ron’s sudden passing. I recall fondly your wondweful wedding and reception on a very warm day. From the preceding comments, you obviously were married to an exceptional man. And he likewise was married to an exceptional woman. Alex

  • I was honored to serve with Ron in Viet Nam it was with great grief I read of him passing.As I read through other emails he remained the good man he was I just wanted to send my condolences your family. In my heart I feel we are all still brothers.

  • Diane,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Memories of you and I for 50 years can not take away your tears and heartache, but I know you and your family will overcome and you will always be in my heart.
    Patty Smith Donaldson

  • Diane, sorry for your loss, my God bless you and your family and provide you with comfort and understanding.

  • RJ and I shared a love for poker and we played cards together for the past 25 years. After almost a week I am still in disbelief that he is gone. I am so glad that I have known him all these years. RJ and our group had many, many fun times and much laughter at our monthly games. RJ was a good friend and had a great sense of humor, and I will miss him and his warm smile. Our oldest friends are our best friends, and we have lost a great one.

  • Rest in peace Ron. Dudley Branning. A Co. 720th Viet Nam 69-70.

  • Diane, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
    I will continue to keep you in prayer.

    Dottie, WTC Retiree

  • Ron’s laugher and wit always made me and all around him smile. I had the honor of working with Ron in the Dover office and the Wilmington office and he will be greatly missed. May God Bless him and grant peace to all who are missing his friendship and love.

    My sympathy to the family.

    Valarie Pepper

  • Dear Diane, Stacy, and Kyle:

    So sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. I remember very well how kind a person he was when you used to live next door to us in Rutherford even though it was a long time ago. My Scotty passed away 6 years ago on New Year’s Eve. It is still difficult for me but i know you, too, will take comfort in remembering all the good times you shared together.

    God Bless.
    Donnie Shankie

  • The Fahey family sends deep sympathy to the Poplos family. Ron was a great man. God Bless him and your family.

    Kathleen

  • Dear Diane & family…so sad to hear the news of his passing. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with you in this difficult time. Love, Everyone at Country Maid Deli

  • I graduated from Newark High School with Ron. My recollection from those long-ago days is that he was a nice guy with a big welcoming smile. I hope your memories of life with him help you through this sad time. Ron will be missed at our 50th reunion!

  • Diane,

    I was sad to hear of this loss to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I miss you and wish you well during this difficult time.

    Wendy

  • To all the Poplos family; Just found out that Ron had passed away last year. He and I served in Vietnam and were part of a small group of members of A Company that were promoted to Staff Sergeant around the same time. He and I were very close in Vietnam, but like most of us, drifted apart after the war. My deepest sympathy to the entire Poplos Family. A good man has joined many of his brothers in a place we will all meet again. SSG Ronald G. Baker, A Company, Nov. 1968 – June 1970

  • Diane and family…..I was looking for current contact information and found this instead. I am so sorry to see this. The best part of my time in Wilmington in the 70’s was meeting Ron when we worked together. He was always smiling, and sympathetic to how lonely I was in my first time away from home. He invited me over to your house a couple of times for dinner. He was such a good man. I hope you have great memories that bring a big smile to your face. Take care, Mike Cochran, Rising Sun, IN.