On Friday, August 1st, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather Ron Loneski went to his home in heaven to walk with his Lord.
Ron was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1937. He played basketball and football for Bishop Noll High School, becoming an All Star for the state of Indiana.
He attended the University of Kansas, majoring in Education. He played basketball for the University of Kansas in 1957-1959. He was member of the 1957 NCAA Championship game against North Carolina. He was drafted by the NBA, but joined the Army.
Being a member of the ROTC, he joined the Army and proudly served for 20 years, retiring as a Colonel. During his deployment to Germany, he played basketball for the Army and the Belgium National Basketball Team. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and Commendations for Meritorious Service.
His love of mentoring others led him to teach for 21 years at Lincoln Prep High School. While teaching, he headed the JROTC and coached basketball. He was named San Diego Coach of the Year in 1991. He continued to hear from many of his former students recognizing his contribution toward starting them on the right path to a better future.
After retiring he married his wife Jackie and moved to Lawrence.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother and his loving son Stephen. He is survived by his wife Jackie; two daughters Laura Ann Carroll of Glendora, CA and Linda Schindler of Murrieta, CA. and their mother Elaine Drosos; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Schindler, Eric Schindler, Kevin Schindler, and Danielle Schindler, all of Murrieta, CA, Stephen Bratakos, Marika Howard, Amelia Bratakos, Cedric Johnson of Glendora, CA.; three great grandchildren.
Also, three stepchildren; Susie Smith, Overland Park, KS, Pat Tramposh, Springfield, MO, Cathy Tramposh, Shawnee, KS.; nine step grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Friday, August 8th at 11:00 a.m. Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Drive in Lawrence, KS. He will be buried at a later date at a military cemetery in California. Contributions can be make to The Wounded Warrior Project and Kids International Ministries directly or through Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
