Dr. Ronald F. Borne, 77, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. The memorial service will be Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, at 3 p.m. in Paris Yates Chapel on the campus of the University of Mississippi. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service at Paris Yates. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Borne was born in New Orleans, LA in 1938 to Adelard and Leonie Borne.  He graduated from Jesuit High School and received a bachelor’s of science in chemistry from Loyola University (New Orleans) in 1960.  He obtained his master’s in organic chemistry in 1962 from Tulane University.  He continued his graduate studies leading to a doctor of philosophy in medicinal chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1967.  He joined Mallinckrodt Chemical Works as a research chemist, before joining the faculty of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi in 1968.  He served the university in several roles over the next 37 years and retired from full-time service in June 2004.

He was recognized on several occasions as the Outstanding Teacher in Pharmacy and honored with the University’s Outstanding Teacher Award and the University’s Faculty Achievement Award.  Dr. Borne was longtime Chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and became Vice Chancellor for Research.  He also served on the University’s Athletic Committee.  After retiring from the University, Dr. Borne turned his attention to writing and has had several well reviewed books published. Dr. Borne was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carolyn Hardegen.

He leaves behind his longtime loving companion Deborah Freeland and brothers, Barry and his wife Mary Borne of Mandeville, Louisiana and Alan Borne of Orlando, Florida.  Also his children Debra and her husband Greg Price of Ridgeland, Michael and his wife Ashley of Jackson and MerriBeth and her husband Jimmy Catalano of St. Charles, Missouri.  He loved his grandchildren dearly (who knew him affectionately as “Dees”): Rachael, Taylor, Baker and Bess Borne of Jackson, Madison, Jordan and Cole Catalano of St. Charles, Missouri and Mary Katherine and Jason Price of Ridgeland.

Memorial contributions in Dr. Borne’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.