One year ago the heart of our family was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer. Maybe 6 months give or take. As we reeled from the news and struggled to comprehend a life without him in it, he agreed to our pleas to undergo chemo so we could hold on for 6 more months. Those 12 months quickly came and went and on April 4th, 2021, Ron Kazen gave his last ounce to his wife and family while holding her hand one last time.
Ron was known by many names and, if you knew him, probably called you anything other than your name. The son of Stan and Lorraine, little Ronnie worked hard as a child chopping wood with his brother Rick and preferred getting paid in soda. He would be the first to beg his older sister, Kathy, to come back each time she ran away and take Rick's chickens because he wasn’t feeding them enough. He would camp, hunt, and fish with Stan, get spoiled by Lorraine, and ride dirt bikes for hours. By the time he graduated from Arlington high school in 1972, Ron had a large group of friends, several who remained close until the end. The next few years would lead to more friends and enough crazy stories that would make you laugh for hours. It was during this time that he met his homecoming queen, Denise Willett, and the two would eventually marry in 1981.
He started a career in construction at Gateway precast & Dwaine’s backhoe service, then went on to start Smokey point custom cabinet doors & Kazen’s bobcat service. He enjoyed many faucets of construction and was an exceptional heavy equipment operator. In 1982 their first daughter, Amy, was born and eventually a second daughter, Kelsy, in 1987. Ron would eventually put that construction experience to good use by clearing the land that would serve as a foundation for their families, raising Amy and Kelsy side by side with Rick, his wife Anne, and their two children, Jason and Kris.
Ron lived for his family. He held his daughters close to his heart and kept them there until the end. There wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer, a project he wouldn't help with, a sporting event he wouldn’t attend, or a daily phone call he wouldn’t make. That's over 10,000 calls between him and his daughters, give or take, and you begin to see what being a father meant to Ron. In 2019 his heart grew bigger still as he became a grandpa to Ronan. Sleepovers, reading books, changing diapers, putting baby to sleep...what a site to see, Ron Kazen falling in love all over again.
While his family was the center of his universe, Ron enjoyed several of the hobbies he picked up as a child. This included pheasant and duck hunting, fishing, & Harleys. There wasn’t a car he didn’t take joy in “blowing the carbon out” of. He was an animal lover, raising all kinds of birds, bunnies, pigs, cats, and dogs. Ron loved the outdoors, and found joy spending that time with Denise in their 5th wheel RV, preferably in a camping location that had a satellite connection to his TV. This allowed him to keep another hobby close- watching Old Westerns and sports.
Ron was a person who valued human kindness, generosity & everlasting service to others. The loss of his presence and laugh will be felt for the many people whose life he touched. We will carry you in our heart, always. Thank you for the example you set, the love you gave, and the path you chose. You are the bar your future generations will aspire to. We love you Ron.
A private graveside service will be held with immediate family. A celebration of life will follow at a later date for family & friends
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5