Ronald Dean Melton

Ronald Dean Melton, 86, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Saint Luke’s South Hospital from a brain hemorrhage following a stroke, with his life partner of 32 years, Arlene Millard, by his side.

Ron was born September 3, 1937, in Ozark, Missouri, to Harold and Wanda (Glossip) Melton. He was a proud member of the Ozark High School class of 1955. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated from Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University) in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Ron joined the Missouri Army National Guard in 1959 and completed 6 months of active service and 5½ years of reserve duty, achieving the rank of Spec-6 before his Honorable discharge. He began a 32-year career with the Federal Government as a cartographer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, followed by many years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an IT analyst and manager, retiring in 1993. During his career, Ron received the USDA Administrator’s Award, the highest award given in the USDA. Ron met his life partner and love, Arlene Millard, at work and they shared many adventures in their 32 years together.

Ron loved growing up in Ozark, squirrel hunting with his best friend in his early years and cruising the square and swimming in the Finley River at Riverside in his teenage years. He was athletic and played varsity basketball and baseball in high school. His favorite sport became snow skiing and he managed to take a ski trip every year for 18 years in a row! When he retired, he played golf with a group of buddies every morning for many years. Ron was a lifelong Cardinal baseball fan and loved traveling to St. Louis to attend games and followed the Cardinals religiously. He was an avid Chiefs fan, a season-ticket holder for many years (some very bad years). The Olympics were his favorite sporting event to watch, and he was so looking forward to the Paris Olympics this summer.

Ron enjoyed reading, mostly non-fiction, especially books about Indians, mountains, and the battles of the Civil War and World War II. He loved the beauty of nature and wildlife. Traveling reflected his loves and some of his favorites were trips to National Parks (about 25), to Gettysburg and Antietam, and seeing places in Paris that he had read about from WWII. Perhaps his all-time favorite trip was to see the Little Bighorn, Custer’s Last Stand and walk the battlegrounds, something he dreamed about since boyhood.

He enjoyed cruises (10 total) to new and interesting places including the British Isles, Australia/New Zealand and 3 times to Alaska (one with a land trip into the Yukon). Cruising with friends was his favorite, to be able to share the day’s experiences over happy hour and dinner. He liked music—Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers was his favorite song—and he was a good dancer.

He was an only child but grew up around 5 first cousins and felt very close to them, particularly his cousin, Larry, who looked like a brother. He had wonderful memories of family picnics in Ponce de Leon, Missouri, and at Fassnight Park in Springfield, Missouri.

Ron had a good heart and a real soft spot for children and animals. He had 6 dogs in his lifetime and loved them all, especially Corky, a Yorkie he and Arlene adopted. Corky was with them for 16 years and was Ron’s “little boy”. He was forming a similar bond with the rescue pup they adopted in September 2023. Minnie is 4 and was very attached to Ron. He loved and enjoyed Arlene’s children and enjoyed their activities growing up. The grandchildren were a special joy to him, and he was always happy to talk with them or read a story or two. As he reminisced recently, he felt he had lived a good life, was able to do a lot of things he wanted and was happy with his life.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and 4 cousins. He is survived by his cousin, Phyllis Lawlor, partner Arlene and her children, Mark (Talicia), Matt (Laura) and Alissa (Brian Anderson), and grandchildren, Tate, June, Mabel, Allison, Eleanor and Lennon, and Arlene’s brother, Larry Turner.

Ron asked that his memorial service be a simple, family only graveside service, so we will honor that wish.

If you would like to show tribute to him, he suggested contributions to the American Cancer Society or a charitable organization of your choice in memory of him.

Happy hours were just that for Ron—happy. Raise a glass of wine if you are so inclined and give him a toast to a life well-lived. The fall was his favorite time of year and he always asked to be remembered on those perfect sunny, crisp fall days. While enjoying one of those days, please think of Ron and smile--he will be smiling with you.