Ronald A. Charpentier

Ronald “Sharky” Alexander Charpentier, 66, left us on November 2nd 2017 at his home in Fargo, North Dakota. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Ron’s final, 46-year battle with post traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism has laid him to rest.

Born in Oakes, ND in 1951, he was the first son of Marcia and Donald Charpentier. He attended grade school in Oakes, ND, Royal City, WA, and Hardin, MT, and graduated from Hardin High School in 1969.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Ron enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 18 and served as Radioman Third Class. Ron’s service took him to the Vietnam War from 1970-1971 where he served one tour of duty performing coastal and river combat for control of large water-bound enemy supply routes in Vietnam’s rice bowl. These River Assault Squadrons would ultimately become known as the American “Brown Water Navy,” and the areas they patrolled received names like “Blood Creek” and “Rocket Alley.”

Upon completion of military service, Ron enrolled at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Social Sciences in 1977. While attending NDSU, Ron met Shannon Scott over a game of billiards in Grand Forks, ND. They would later wed in July of 1977 and remained married for over 22 years.

His professional career included working as a salesman for Scheels in North Fargo, owning and operating a lawn care business, FM Lawn Care, as well as a silkscreen business, Screen Sharks, and working as a plumber for Manning Mechanical.

Ron is survived by his son, Matthew Charpentier (Denver, CO), Shannon (Scott) Charpentier (Fargo, ND), mother, Marcia Deloris (Remillard) Charpentier (Oakes, ND), brother, Marti, and Bert (Fenno) Charpentier (Cambridge, MN), sister, Carma, (Charpentier) and John Forward (Glenham, SD), brother, Perry, and Amy (Obermeyer) Charpentier (New Hope, MN), and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron is preceded in death by his father, Donald Alexander Charpentier (Oakes, ND).