Ronald Eugene Spalding

Ronald “Ron” Eugene Spalding, 58, passed away on September 2, 2020. A believer in and faithful servant of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Ron was born in Holton, KS on December 20, 1961, the son of Arthur and Peggy Spalding. Ron married the love of his life, Karen Irene Elder on August 2, 1985. They just celebrated their 35th anniversary. Ron was the beloved father of Rick (Jill) Crouch, Kristi Frase, Amy Crouch, and Becky (Charles) Gray. His grandchildren were a great source of joy for him and he was called Papa by 12 grandchildren - Mariah Crouch, Reid and Joel Frase, Paige and Parker Crouch, Deisha Martinez, Rylan Langton-Gray, Isreal, Davion, Makayla, Aria and Annalyn Gray. Ron was a wonderful brother to Kim (Kerry) Hauser, Terri (Mark) Phillips, Brian (Amanda) Spalding. He was the uncle to many nieces and nephews and a faithful and devoted friend.

Ron graduated from Holton High School in 1980. In high school, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He enlisted in the Army National Guard, played trumpet in the National Guard Band and was honorably discharged in 1986. He attended Washburn University where he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1988. Ron graduated from DeVry Institute with a B.S. in Network/Communications in 2004.

Ron’s love for music was passed on to hundreds of students through the years. He taught music for many years, most recently teaching in the Olathe School District. He was also employed by H&R Block as a Network Technician.

Ron loved playing the trumpet and he played in several quartets and groups including the Kansas City Wind Symphony, the Benedictine Brass Band, the American Legion Band, and the Delaware Valley Brass Quintet. He enjoyed teaching private trumpet lessons, golfing, shooting sports, collecting model trains and caring for his home. He was a member of the American Legion. Most of all, he loved being with his family.

Ron and Karen were members of the St. Paul’s Church of the Nazarene. Ron was a devoted church member serving as a Deacon, Sound Engineer and Sunday School Teacher and was a member of the choir. He received a Service Award from the Church of the Nazarene. For more than 30 years he was a member of the Jamaica VBS team and traveled each summer to Jamaica to teach Bible School. Ron was known as a man of integrity and radiated his love for Christ in all that he did.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Peggy Spalding.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 8 at 2pm at St. Paul’s Church of the Nazarene, 8500 E 80th Terr., Kansas City, MO. Family will greet friends at the church at 1pm. Interment will follow at Moray Cemetery in Moray, KS at 4:30pm. Family requests that masks be worn for the safety of all attendees.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Gideon’s International or Jamaica VBS, Inc.