Ronald G. Roberts

Ron was born 12-12-41 in KC, Mo and attended Northeast High School, Kansas City University and the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory.

He left school a few hours short of a degree to pursue his true calling, a career in music. He was a bassist, guitarist and composer. As he said in his liner

notes for his album "Loner's Wine", "First, last and always, I am a composer....".

When he left school, he was launched on a career where " for 45 years jazz was a 24/7 way of life, with all night drives from one gig to the next, over 10,000

gigs, 17 states with stints in Los Angeles at a time when Sunset Strip was vibrant, and on Broadway in NYC." In his later career, Ron worked the KC hotel scene

and was a Hyatt Skywalks collapse survivor.

He began writing books in earnest in the mid-eighties as his music career ebbed and left him more time. He has written six books, 2 fiction, and 4 non-fiction and

was working on a second book about his beloved Northeast neighborhood. He said it would be a not-as-funny follow up to his homage to his childhood and high

school years, "Meatball Sangwich: Drive Fast and Talk Back to the Cops."

Ron also was a successful businessman with connections to music with his wholesale tape company, Midwest Magnetics Not only did this allow him to touch base with

music in the area, but more importantly, was a good excuse to see many of his friends on a regular basis. Ron was one of the most gregarious people you could ever

meet, had a spectacular memory, and could tell stories endlessly. He made many friends over his 77 years and a more loyal friend could not be found.

Ron was a presence, a man of great energy and deep emotions. He loved food, especially sweets, animals, (he was a volunteer dog walker at Animal Haven for many years),

travel and most of all, music. He was a man of uncompromising principles with a huge heart., As a passionate champion of the working man, he served as VP on the

Board of Musicians for several years working for a better pay scale and fairness for his fellow players.

The creative life was the one that chose him and he loved his life. He would remark every day "It's a great day to be alive." In his own words, from one of his book jackets,

"I feel like the luckiest guy on earth. I got the life I chose and at any one point, got to do pretty much whatever I wanted, for which I am extremely grateful."

His was a life well lived and he will be sorely missed.

Ron was predeceased by wife, Margaret Laughlin Roberts and by his mother and father, Fern and Clifford Roberts.

Ron leaves his companion of 32 years, Kathleen Ross, her children, Carrie Ross (husband, John Davis) and Eric Ross (wife Gemma Dambruoso), grandchildren Grace and

Luke Davis, Marie and Johnny Ross.

He also leaves his brother, Terry Roberts and wife Carla, and their children, Debbi Webber (husband Keith), Michelle Lucero (husband Mike) and their grandchildren, Colin and

Emma Webber and Adam Lucero

A visitation time to celebrate Ronald's life will be held on Wednesday, December 26th at Floral Hills Funeral Home from 1:00 - 3:00. Interment will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ron's name to a local "No Kill" animal shelter of your choice.