Ronald H Kays

Ron H. Kays, 80, of Mooresville, Indiana and formerly of Punta Gorda FL passed away Sunday, Sept. 30. He was born September 5, 1938 in Mooresville, Indiana to Merle and Esther Kays and moved to Punta Gorda in 1958.

He was the former owner of Kays Funeral Home, Kays-Ponger Funeral Homes and Cremation Services and Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home.

He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and The Florida Funeral Directors Association. He organized and received permission from the Federal Government to broadcast and was the first General Manager of Channel 36, the first Independent Television Station in Southwest Florida. Ron was one of the original organizers of Charlotte County's first FM Radio Station. He was the treasurer of the St Joseph's Hospital Ball for its first 12 years, then served as the Chairman of the Hospital Ball. In 1967-1968, he was appointed as Pilot Commissioner for the Port of Boca Grande by Governor Claude Kirk. He graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science and was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Bible Doctrine and Ministerial Studies from the Berean College of the Bible in St Louis, Missouri. Ron owned and operated the Circle K Ranch where with his wife, they raised and sold cattle and citrus.

He was a charter member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God and was a charter member of their Board of Deacons. He served as President of the United Way in 1968 and 1974, had served as the president of the Hi-noon Lions Club in Sarasota, former director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, former member of the BPOE Order of the Port Charlotte Rotary, Director of the First Union Bank & Trust, member of the National Select Morticians Order of the Golden Rule.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Loretta B. Kays; children Mark (Diane) Kays, John Kays and Shannon Gorman; grandchildren, Thomas, Michael, Laura, Jessica, Michael, Ryan, Kimberly, and Calla, 9 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and son, Matthew Kays.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am till 12pm on Saturday October 6, 2018 at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. The Celebration of Life Service will begin at 12 noon Saturday at the funeral home with burial to follow at Joshua Creek Cemetery in Arcadia, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to their favorite charity.