Ronnie Lewis Fort, an employee of Construction Tire & Industrial Supply in Ocala, Fla., died on April 15, 2011. He was 56.
According to Ocala.com, Fort was changing a tire on a 33,290-pound front-end loader when the loader "gave way" and fell on him.
David Guinn, the dealership's operations manager, was quoted as saying Fort had been working with him and changing tires for more than 30 years. He added that Fort was an experienced guy who knew what he was doing.
Fort was born on Nov. 29, 1954, in Douglas, Ga. An Army veteran, Fort was passionate about drag racing and was in the process of rebuilding a 1971 Chevy Nova when he died.
He is survived by his children, Kevin Fort, Tina Cucurella and Amy Fort; a sister, Barbara Ann Fort; his companion of many years, Fran Kash; and eight grandchildren and five additional children that he thought of as his grandchildren.
