"He was a guy who was extremely interested in things out of the mainstream. He was intellectually very courageous, " said Jonathan Vankin of Los Angeles, author of "Conspiracies, Cover-Ups and Crimes," which Mr. Bonds reprinted.
Mr. Vankin added: "To guys like Ron, there are thousands of things that are so much fun to explore. Somehow, he made a living out of it and a business out of it."
The memorial service for Ronald W. Bonds, 48, of Atlanta, who died from internal bleeding Sunday at Grady Memorial Hospital, is 2 p.m. today in the Oak Lawn Chapel at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service Inc. The body will be cremated.
Mr. Bonds attracted people who put forth different ideas and turned them into authors. He discovered conspiracy theorist Jim Keith, known for "Black Helicopters Over America," and published Kerry Thornley's popular "The Principia Discordia," a spoof of religion.
Another of his authors, John Keel, has a book being made into a movie starring Richard Gere. "The Mothman Prophecies" is now being edited and due out in about six months, said Mr. Bonds' wife, Nancy R. Kratzer.
"He was very intellectual, very, almost too intelligent, and real insightful," Ms. Kratzer said of her husband. "He knew what would be popular long before it was. He was ahead of his time."
Before the days of the Internet, he was among the first to have a computer bulletin board, similar to a chat room, that drew a large group of followers discussing politics and religion.
Mr. Bonds, who sang and played the guitar and keyboard, had been a record producer and promoter before he became a publisher. His record company was EOD, for Elvis on Drugs, said Sam Rountree of Lawrenceville, his friend of 20 years.
Years ago, sitting around in Mr. Bonds' living room, the two established the Church of Beaver Cleaver. They still get requests for the church's pamphlet and get hits on the church's Web site.
"Ron was entertaining," said Mr. Rountree. "He liked the unusual. He liked the strange. He liked the unique. He sought it out. He wanted to share his enthusiasm for the unique."
Mr. Bonds was responsible for the popularity of some authors, and the renewed popularity of others, said Mr. Rountree.
"Ron Bonds had to be the straightest, most honest guy I've ever met in the publishing business," said Mr. Vankin. "He paid royalties on time and never screwed around on you."
The death of Mr. Keith in 1999 and now Mr. Bonds "is going to spark a lot of conspiracy theories," said Mr. Vankin, adding that is probably something Mr. Bonds would enjoy.
Other survivors include his mother and stepfather, Yvonne and Roey Z. Patterson of Blue Ridge; a stepbrother, D.Z. Patterson of Buford; and a stepsister, Rhonda Patterson of Lawrenceville.
IllumiNet Press Web site: www.illuminetpress.com
Conspiracy And Paranormal Publisher Dead At 48
He was fascinated by the conspiracy theories and paranormal possibilities he published through IllumiNet Press. But more importantly, he wanted everyone to open their minds, to explore other theories of events.
[Original headline: Ronald Bonds, 48, published conspiracies]
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution / GA | Kay Powell - April 11 2001
