Ronald Deleon, who owned the Walthourville Meat Market on West Oglethorpe Highway, gave back to the community as he did in life.

On Sunday, Ronald Deleon’s wife Nicole Deleon hosted a celebration for her husband outside the Walthourville Meat Market, which brought over 500 residents of the Walthourville community and beyond to join in.

Those who attended were treated to a free meal of crab legs, ribs, pork chops and various other dishes.

“This is what her husband would have wanted, to give back to the community,” Nicole Deleon said.

Ronald Deleon, who was born in Brooklyn in 1986, passed away May 25 in Atlanta. As a youngster, he never forgot hearing of the struggles his parents endured when they immigrated from the Dominican Republic with nothing but the items they could carry with them.

Ronald Deleon’s mother Ana Morel sold food from the trunk of her car to make ends meet.  He learned from her what it meant to give back to the community with affordable meals.

Nicole Deleon said she learned through her husband how loving and giving the Latin community is. 

“Even though there was a big expense involved providing the meals, this is what Ronald would have wanted,” she said. “He loved the people in this community and they loved him.”

Over the year, the Walthourville Meat Market has provided free food giveaways to the community.

The celebration held outside the meat market was festive - a DJ played music and 30 meat packets were given to lucky ticket holders.

Nicole Deleon said the store will continue to operate, as will the Latin Dreams restaurant, which was owned by Ronald Deleon and his mother.