St. George, UT - Ronald Eugene McAlister, peacefully passed away, surrounded by his loving family on April 2, 2010. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado on June 7, 1929 to Guy and Grace Ione Hall McAlister. He married his sweetheart, Earlene Freeman Knox on January 27, 1950 and entered the US Army in 1951, serving as a corporal during the Korean War. He was a loving husband, father to three and grandfather to 13 grandchildren as well as a great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. He loved to dance with his sweetheart, entering and winning many dance contests. He was three times the Past Master for the Masonic Lodge and a Thirty-Two Degree Shriner. He was chief civil engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation, working on the Central Utah Project for 28 years. He was just recently baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the Aaronic Priesthood just days before his death. Dad is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Earlene; daughters, Debbie Morrill (Clinton) and Rhonda Wilkinson (Kevin); son Colin McAlister (Jamie); many grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis; and brother, David. Thank you Dad, for loving Mom and for the wonderful example of service and sacrifice for your family. Well love you always. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 5, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Visitation will be held Monday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary, prior to services. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.