Ron Raboud

Ron Raboud, co-founder of Rabco Enterprises, passed away on April 7, 2022 after his valiant battle with brain cancer. Surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing, Ron had a profound effect on the lives of so many. The sheer number of calls and messages received on his behalf is a true testament to his character and the far-reaching impact that Ron had on others. Even as we mourn, we are comforted knowing that he is now at peace and that his memory will live on through all of those he has touched. Ron was also founder of Wounded Warrior Outdoors, an organization near and dear to his heart, which will carry on Ron’s legacy for many years to come. Ron was so appreciative of all the well wishes he received during his illness, and Ron’s wife, Lisa, and their sons thank everyone for their kindness, prayers and support during this difficult time.

Ron loved the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and seeing others enjoy his passion for nature. Ron loved to travel. His adventures took him throughout the United States, north to Canada, and across the Atlantic to Africa. Coming from a military family along with his passion for sportsmanship and the outdoors, Ron founded Wounded Warrior Outdoors in 2006.

He was the son of a wounded warrior and the cousin of a warrior killed during the Vietnam War. Ron partially attributed establishing Wounded Warrior Outdoors to his guilt over never having served in the military. But he shouldn’t have worried. He more than made up for it in his service to others.

Ron began hosting therapeutic adventures on his own property but eventually partnered with several U.S. military medical facilities to organize supervised programs for wounded personnel. His work began with helping those with physical injuries and grew to serve those with mental injuries—the invisible injuries—those we cannot see. Through Ron’s sheer will and dedication, he gave those in need a chance to reconnect with their warrior brothers and sisters.

That same dedication and determination came into focus in November 1987 when Ron and friend, colleague and business partner, Larry Cox, began Rabco: ”Rab” for Raboud and “Co” for Cox—if you’ve ever wondered about the origins of the company name. With a total of $5,000 between the two of them, they did whatever it took to get the business off the ground. They sold and built greenhouses, built two custom homes and even once installed a fiberglass hot tub! Their hard work and the drive to succeed formed the foundation of the new self-storage company, Rabco Enterprises.

By 2019, Ron, an icon in the industry, had caught the attention of Mako Steel. At the time, Rabco was looking for a partner. Coincidentally, Mako was looking to expand. Rabco co-founders, Ron and Larry, along with Buster Owens, president and co-owner of the company, were running a solid and well-managed organization who found strength in their employees, much the same as Mako does to this day.

The inevitable had begun. Rabco seemed like a perfect fit both operationally and philosophically, and by 2020 the two companies were in talks to become one. On March 17, 2021, aligned by professionalism and personality, the two became MakoRabco. Ron’s initial discussion with Caesar Wright, executive chairman of MakoRabco, and Angie Guerin, the company’s vice-president of business development, set forth a path to bring about business success nationwide.

As Larry said of Ron, “He was the keel of our ship and held us steady and on course through any storm.” Ron’s unfortunate diagnosis came within hours of the closing of the sale of Rabco. His demeanor throughout his final battle held true to the end. He cared for his family and set a course for beyond when he would no longer be with us. Larry’s friend of 45 years, all those at MakoRabco, Wounded Warrior Outdoors and his family and friends will miss him dearly. Through his inspiration, we hope to extend his legacy and live by the spirit that carried him forward. His memory will be the keel—the longitudinal structure along the centerline of a vessel’s hull on which the rest of the hull is built to increase stability. This is one of the many and enduring ways that we will remember him.

To Ron Raboud, rest in peace.