Kenneth Ronald Golightly

Kenneth Ronald Golightly, 80, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, Thursday morning, February 22, 2024, in Keller, TX. Service: Tuesday, February 27, 1 p.m., at Guadalupe Valley Municipal Cemetery in New Braunfels.

“Ron” was born March 23, 1943, in Seattle, Washington, to Kenneth and Glendene Golightly. Ron is survived by his children Laura Golightly-Taylor (Blake), Matt Golightly (Stacey), Angela Golightly, granddaughters Adelynn and Lori and countless extended family members. Ron is preceded in death by his devoted wife Mary Golightly, parents Kenneth and Glendene Golightly, and sisters Jenelle Golightly, and Gynna Guice.

Ron was raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1961, and then graduated from The University Of Texas in Austin with a degree in Accounting. Ron served his country as a Staff Sergeant and Infantry Squadron Leader in Company B, 4/23rd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in 1969 - 1970. He was stationed in Vietnam where he received multiple awards and commendations including a Bronze Star with V device for heroic action on Feb. 28th 1970 before returning home and marrying Mary Golightly later that year. They were married 42 years until her passing in 2013.

Over the course of his career, Ron worked as a comptroller for Alcoa and K.O Steel, relocating to cities such as Lakeland, Florida, Benton, Arkansas, and the cites of Port LaVaca, Rockdale, Midland, San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Ft Worth, Texas.

He loved baseball, fishing, hunting, and camping. He even founded a square dancing club with his wife, Mary, where they traveled extensively to state and national conventions, dancing with couples worldwide. Later in life, they enjoyed traveling to Hill Country Music House Concerts. Ron and Mary were also active members of the Methodist Church and he was most recently a member at White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake.

A devoted optimist, Ron encouraged others to pursue their passions and found happiness in being excited about other’s success and not just his own. That philosophy earned him life-long friends from both his high school days in Carlsbad, NM and anywhere he worked throughout his 40-plus year career. This is perhaps best demonstrated by his children’s’ distinct and divergent careers; a doctor, a horse whisperer and a stand-up comic.

Just a few of his life’s additional proudest accomplishments included; serving as vice president of his senior class, giving the commencement address at his high school graduation, touring the world as a performer in a theater group that entertained audiences in 4 different countries. In the 80’s he served as a mentor and leader in the Junior Achievers of America Club which encouraged entrepreneurship in high school youth. He was also on the ground floor of integrating data base and spreadsheet technology into the manufacturing industry in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Ron never met a dream he didn’t think was possible and in a world that needs more dreamers and less de-meaners, he will be sorely missed; but his spirit lives on in everyone he ever inspired.

Flowers can be sent to:

Zoeller Funeral Home

615 Landa St.

New Braunfels, TX 78130

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Ron’s name to the Disabled American Veterans at:

help.dav.org