Ronald Lester Swonger

Private memorial services for Ronald Lester Swonger, 69, Lawrence, will take place at a later date in Sharon, Kan.

Ron passed unexpectedly in his home surrounded by family and close friends on April 7th, 2018, at 1228 hrs.

Ron was born July 7, 1948, in Nashville, Kansas, the son of Lyle Lester “Buck” and Mary Darlene “Darlene” Spurling Swonger.

Ron was a life time resident of Sharon, KS (until moving to Lawrence, KS in 2013) completing his education K-12 in 1967 from Sharon High School. In 1971 Ron attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson, KS and received his certification as a Law Enforcement Officer, keeping his licensure current up until his death.

On June 1, 1968 Ron married the love of his life, Roberta Fay Shelite, also of Sharon, Ks. Ron & Bert met in 1960 at the tender ages of 10 and 12, they were neighbors for many years, their parents being the best of friends. To this union two boys were added, Robert Lyle on the 15th of April, 1969 and Kurt Alan on the 12th of June, 1974.

Ron worked for the Farmers Coop in both Sharon and Medicine Lodge Kansas from 1968 – 1971. In 1971 Ron, Bert, and their oldest Robert (Robby) moved to Attica Kansas as Ron was offered a position with the city as a night patrol man, in 1972 Ron working actively as the Chief of Police for the city of Attica somehow “tricked” Bert into viewing a Cafe that was going up for sale in Attica and before they left there were the owners of what would become Bert’s Cafe from 1972-1978.

In 1978 Ron, Bert, Bobby & Kurt (born June 12, 1974)  moved back to Sharon to own and operate what was then a pool hall referred to as The Blue Goose. After selling the Goose  to his oldest brother Bucky in 1980, Ron went to work for National Gypsum in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where he worked until he became disabled with COPD in 1992. Many years after his retirement, Ron helped with activities within the city of Sharon, organizing and raising funds for the Martina McBride Park, the new concession stand at the ball diamond, the new Civil/Storm Siren as well as many other improvements within the city. Ron was an active picker and all around junk collector, visiting and trading with friends daily in his “Club House” in Sharon. In 2013 Ron moved to Lawrence, Kansas and went into partnership with his oldest son Robby. They founded The Vapor’s Edge in Lawrence which has become the premiere vape shop in town. Ron has many many friends and always found the good in everyone, was a giving person and a huge lover of dogs. Ron spent the last few years of his time here on earth cherishing his grandchildren, fishing with his youngest son Kurt, granddaughter Kelsey and grandson Jayton and just hanging out on their iPads with his great grandson Bralynn.  36 hours after his transition to Heaven, Ron sent his second great grandchild Alice Grey to comfort his loving family. Ron’s legacy will continue in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he was a man that never used the words good-bye, but see you later or if you were within his  circle, ta ta…..

Ron is survived by the love of his life and best friend,  wife Roberta “Bert” of the home, his mother in law Annabell C. (Haas) Shelite of the home, sister in law Judy (Shelite) Loewenstein of Kiowa, KS, his Aunt Nancy Swonger (uncle Robert L Swonger deceased) of Sacramento, CA, Aunt Darlene Swonger (uncle Bill Swonger deceased) of Newberg, OR.  Aunt Darlene Swonger ( uncle Jack Swonger) of Newberg, OR, his sons; Robert L. Swonger “Robby” &  Jamal of Lawrence, Kurt A. Swonger & Maria of Baldwin City, grandson Jayton & Sabrina Swonger of Lawrence, granddaughter Kelsey Ann Swonger of Baldwin City, great grandchildren Bralynn Michael Swonger of Lawrence, and Alice Grey Swonger of Lawrence (born 36 hours after his transition)

Special family friends Stephanie Westley of Lawrence, Zach Lickteig, Lisa Strippoli, & Christina Moss of Lawrence, and many many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his father, Lyle Lester “Buck” and mother Mary Darlene ‘Grammy” Swonger,  grandparents; Winfred & Estella Swonger,  Bill & Idabell Spurling,  & Step Grandmother Ellen Swonger,  uncles ; Bill, Robert L. “Bob”, Junior (Winfred Jr.), Baby Winfred II, Fred Swonger ,  Baby Jim Swonger, Bill Spurling and Howard Davis. aunts; Wanda Dinkins, Helen Kingsoliver, Nellie McDaniel, Bonnie Farr, Baby Carol Swonger, Baby Peggy Swonger &  Dalphine (spurling) Davis;  brothers;  Jack, Bucky, and Larry Swonger, father-in-law Robert “Bob” Shelite, brothers-in-law Robert Loewenstein,  Eddie and Bobby Shelite, niece Hope Nicole (Loewenstein) Schmidt, great great nephew Maddox Reed Paxson, and nephews Jason Kaumans and James ‘Tuffy” Talbott.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Messages & Condolences

From leon kingsolver...

bert and family ron and talked by phone about once a month i will mis those conversations and laughs he stopped by when he would come to Kiowa he will truley be mised leon

From Erik Anderson...

Only knew you for a handful of years, but what I found out was you were a hysterical man with an overload of kindness. Every time I seen u come in I knew things would only get better. Miss ya pops, wish I could have seen ya and visited one more time before you left. R.I.P.

From Nancy Swonger...

Dearest Family,
There are never enough Words to convey the Sadness or the profound happiness of knowing you are gone from our sight but are wrapped in the arms of JESUS surrounded with ALL our family who have gone on ahead. You have left your handprint on ALL OF HEARTS…Till we meet again, Love the California SWONGERS

From David Dunlap...

I really enjoyed talking guitars and music with Ron. He was a bright spot to my day any time I talked to him. He will be missed.

From Robby Swonger...

My Father was a simple man and a very honest & caring man. Daddy never spoke bad of anyone, he always found good and turned a bad situation into a positive experience. He is the last of the Swonger Boys from Sharon, Ks and is now residing with his Parents and Brothers in Heaven. You left us so quickly and it seems so unreal, but we will meet again.. Until then as you would say, “Never Good Bye, But see you Soon”… R.I.P Daddy You are Loved and Missed!

DADDY “YES ROBB” WHY DID YOU LEAVE?

I WANT YOU TO COME BACK DAD AND TALK WITH ME,

YOU LEFT SO QUICKLY BEFORE I COULD SAY GOOD-BYE, WE WERE JOKING JUST YESTERDAY BUT TODAY NO REPLY.

WHAT ABOUT NANA AND MAMA AND ALL THE REST? THEY ARE HOLDING UP STRONG , THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST.

IT JUST DOESN’T SEEM FAIR, I’M MEAN FOR YOU TO LEAVE, WE GOING PICKERS AND CASH CAB TO WATCH ON TV,

JAYTON, KELSEY, BRALYNN AND NOW ALICE TO SEE,

SUMMERS HERE DADDY, WE’VE GOT PLACES TO BE.

SALES TO GO TO DAD, BOY WHAT FUN,

BUT I GUESS THAT OVER NOW HUH, CAUSE YOU HAD TO RUN?

KURT AND I, WE WILL TAKE CARE OF MAMA, WE WILL DO OUR BEST,

YOU’VE WORK HARD FOR SO MANY YEARS DAD, NOW IT’S YOUR TIME TO REST,

WE LOVE YOU & WE WILL ALL MISS YOU & FOUND IN OUR HEARTS YOU WILL ALWAYS BE

GPA, PAMPO, DADDY AND THE “OLD MAN” FROM THE “TVE”

LOVE YOU DADDY RIP

– ROBBY SWONGER

From Kathy Lane...

Faye our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Love The Janie Catlin familt.

From The Jeremy Douglass Family...

Kurt, Maria and Kelsey
We are so sorry for your loss. You all will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

From John Warren...

Ron was always a delight to visit with. Robbie, the loss of a father is hard, however, remember all the good times these memories will help sustain you.

From Don Hall...

So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. I really liked that “old boy.” He was a good friend to me for as long as I had known him. Too bad I didn’t get to know him longer. He certainly was a very special man. He was very generous and I don’t think he had a bad bone in his body. I will miss him.

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