I met Ronnie when I was a teenage wannabe pool hustler at Hollywood Billiards at Hollywood & Western in Los Angeles over 50 years ago. We matched up playing one handed one red ball snooker with him spotting me 4 points for $5 a game. Ronnie walked over and put a $5 bill in the side pocket. I stood there looking at it and he said "That's the up money kid, how long have you been on the road". He quit after a few games because I wouldn't raise it.
We tangled a few times over the years but spent more time feeding the horses than anything else.
Ronnie was with me my first trip to Derby City five years ago. He truly had a great time, sitting at a table out front of where the tournaments were being played with Joann Jansco, one of the Jansco's daughter, cutting up jackpots and having drinks with visitors all day long.
We had so much fun I took him to Galveston later that year. That trip was a disaster for me. I matched up bad and played worse, losing a nice chunk to Billy Incardona and Artie Bodendorfer. Another surprise came when I checked out of the room. Ronnie found out you could charge the drinks to the room number. I was furious with him, but by the time we got to the airport he had me laughing, buying beers and lunch.
He could get you so mad you wouldn't want anything to do with him and then reel you back in for another sure fire bet with another game or another horse.
Rest in peace Ronnie, there will never be another like you and you will be remembered as one of the greatest.
Thank you for being my friend.
John Henderson
