Ron also served in Ocean County as the Board of Social Services Chairman, the Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and the Human Services Advisory Council. He was first elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 2002 and was reelected nine times. During his two decades in the Assembly, Ron served as deputy minority leader and assistant minority leader. A conservative Republican, he had earned respect and admiration from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and helped usher in legislation to assist his fellow military veterans as well as New Jersey's farming communities and horse racing industries. Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Brenda (Hopkins) Dancer; a son, Ronald Dancer, Jr. and wife Sherri; a daughter, Kristy Sorensen and husband Timothy; three grandchildren, Bryce, Michael and Brianna; two sisters, Susan Moyher and husband David and Shaldonna Chiasson; many cousins including a very special cousin James Dancer who gave Ron a kidney 33 years ago and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services and burial for Ron will be private at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Tilghman Funeral Home in New Egypt (www.tilghmanfh.com).