Ron was born to Homer H. and R. Rose Stoltzfus on December 31, 1937, in Kansas City, MO. Ron grew up with his two siblings in the Brookside area and graduated from Southwest High School. Ron received his degree in music theory from the University of Kansas City. He was a lifelong member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity where he established many wonderful friendships that continued through the decades.
Ron had a deep faith in God and was raised in a Baptist environment. He held the degree of Chevaliar in The Order of DeMolay International, an organization he was committed to, and cared deeply about, through life.
After graduating from college, Ron pursued a career in sales, and was with Vestal Chemical Laboratories for over 20 years, selling professional health care products to hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare institutions and industries, throughout the Kansas City area.
After Vestal Laboratories, Ron began a second career as a manufacturers’ representative, covering seven states, for over a decade.
Ron then began a third career in the late 1990’s with Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home where he worked as a pre-need funeral and cemetery counselor until he retired in 2015.
Ron loved working in all three of his professions, but his passion was his music. Ron was a gifted and talented musician and singer. He began playing the trumpet at age 12, and was called upon frequently to perform at various church activities. By high school, he was playing professionally, and over the years played in numerous bands and orchestras. Ron became part of the Dooley Weilert Quintet in the 1960’s. The five piece band played regularly, often performing at 100 to 150 venues per year. How fitting for a New Years Eve baby! Those that visited Ron and Pat from out of town were always treated to a tour of the various jazz events occurring in the city. Ron was also a lifetime member of the KC Federation of Musicians.
Those that knew Ron would say his strong suit in life was his gift of knowledge. Ron was an intelligent man, well read, and well versed on many topics, and was known for his ability to converse intellectually on many subjects. But, most people that knew Ron would say his true gift was his compassion for people. Ron was a genuine “people person” who had a contagious laugh, and a terrific sense of humor.
He was passionate about sports, Ron loved the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Ron was also a bit of an athlete himself having run track and high hurdles in college. Ron's renowned college coach was notorious for yelling in his megaphone when the runners started to fade out, "Keep going, you're not tired, you only think you're tired." This was a philosophy Ron held and carried throughout life. It
was never more apparent than the strength and courage he displayed during his 14 year struggle with heart disease.
Ron was a man of many gifts and talents, but all that knew Ron, would agree on one thing, to know him, was to love him, and no one loved him more than his wife, Pat. They were both blessed to have 35 wonderful and amazing years together and were truly a couple that were meant to be. They were a couple that were together through everything, and were better people for having each other in their lives.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Pat Merek Stoltzfus; children: Sheri Stoltzfus, of San Diego, CA, Greg Stoltzfus (Jenny), of Lenexa, KS, and DeeDee Stoltzfus, of New York, NY. He leaves behind one grandson Brandon, of Lenexa, KS; and three siblings, Donna Treece (Keith), of Albuquerque, NM, Roger Stoltzfus, of Kansas City, MO, and Linda Claycomb (Bryan), of Little Elm, TX. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Jim Merek (Belva), of Columbus, TX, numerous nieces and nephews, and other beloved relatives and friends.
A visitation for Ronald will be held Monday, August 2, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A funeral service will occur Monday, August 2, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. A committal service will occur Monday, August 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
