MILTON - Ronald L. Jefferson, of Milton, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 23 at home. He was 75. He was born in Milford, on June 30, 1935, son of the late Webster and Lena Jefferson. He graduated from Milton High School, class of 1953. After Graduation, he became an apprentice for the Pilots Association of the Bay and River Delaware and became a river pilot for 42 years, retiring in 1996. He was also a lobbyist in Dover for the Pilots Assoc. for 29 years. He was a member of the Endeavor Lodge #17, A.F.&A.M. in Milton; he served as Master from 1980 - 1984. He was Grand Master of Masons, Delaware from 1990 to 1991, a life member of the Kent and Sussex Past Masters Assoc., a member of the Scottish Rite of Lower Delaware, Shrine of Nur Temple; First State Shrine Club, Lo-Del Shrine Club, Evergreen Forest No. 49; Independence Square Club and Maritime Square Club, Valley of Ft. Myers, Fla., where he was given his red hat and elevated to KCCH. He was also an honorary member of Punta Gorda Lodge # 115 in Punta Gorda, Fla. In addition to his parents, his daughter, Debra Rogers preceded him in death in 1979. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy Abbott Jefferson; children, Ronald L. Jefferson, II of Harbeson, Jay W. Jefferson and wife Jill of Rehoboth, Heidi Johnson and her husband Tommy of Sumter, S.C., Lisa Hershelman and husband Jim of Georgetown and Johnna Fairbee and husband Randal of Chesapeake, Va.; grandchildren, Kirk Rogers and wife, Wendy, Tracey Gray and husband Scott, Cari Jo Vitone and husband Mike, David Hitchens and wife Tess, Chris Hitchens and wife April, Mike Hitchens and wife Leslie, Josh Hershelman and wife Dawn, Blake Hershelman and wife Casey, Heather Crouse and husband Jason, Holly Fairbee, Hannah Fairbee and Ryan Fairbee, Gavin Jefferson and Taylor Jefferson; great-grandchildren, David Hitchens, Michael Hitchens, Graysen Hitchens, Ty Hitchens, Chase Hitchens, Garrett Rogers and Aubrey Rogers, Audrey Hershelman, Cole Johnson, Peyton Johnson, Michael Vitone, Zachery Reynolds, Haley Gray and Abigail Gray. A memorial service and Masonic service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Goshen U.M. Church, 103 Mulberry St., Milton, where friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Ronald L. Jefferson, Sr., Scholarship Fund, Endeavor Lodge # 17, A.F.& A.M, 201 Mill St., Milton, DE 19968, or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.