Graveside services for Ronald John Schroder, Jr., age 59 of Rockaway Beach, MO., will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, November 8, 2019 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery with full Military Honors.

He died on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at his home.

He was born on December 3, 1959 in St. Louis, MO., the son of Ronald John Schroder, Sr. and Patricia Ann Wilson. He was a veteran of The United States Air Force. Most people don't know that Ron was very sensitive and thoughtful. He won first prize in a contest for poetry awarded by the state of Missouri. His poem addressed issues of mental health. When he worked as a landscaper at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo, the animals loved him. The giraffe would often lick his head and the elephant would shoot water on him when he was working in the heat. These are behaviors that showed that the animals not only cared for him but felt safe with Ron and trusted him. Ron's sister, Eva, remembers Ron as being bright and funny and surprisingly insightful on matters of politics and the world stage.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry Schroder of Ozark, MO., his son, Dylan Schroder of Ozark, MO., his father, Ronald John Schroder, Sr. and two siblings: Eva Schroder of Topanga, CA. and William Schroder of Lacombe, LA. He was preceded in death by his mother.