R. L. “Ron” Harthcock went to be with the Lord on Saturday January 25, 2014. Born on December 15, 1928 in Springfield, Missouri, Ron was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 62 years Louise in 2012, his mother Agatha, and father Alfred Harthcock. He was the best Dad to his son Matthew Harthcock and his wife Patricia of Stow, Ohio and to daughter Lea Harthcock and partner Jenifer Elam of St. Louis, Missouri. “Papa” to grandson Adam Harthcock and his wife Jessica of Hermitage, Tennessee and grandson Jason Harthcock of Ann Arbor, Michigan – he always was anxious to play grandpa and was great doing so.
Ron is also survived by his sister Betty Cheek, brother Allen Harthcock and his wife Linda, nephew Jeff Cheek and his wife Heather, nephew Mike Adams and his wife Carol; niece Julie Holman and her husband Dan, niece Allison Harthcock and great nieces and nephews Travis Adams, Lizzie Cheek, Buddy Cheek, and Emily Laster. He has many other family and friends that enjoyed his company – particularly when he showed that he liked them when he would give them a hard time.
After graduating from high school in 1946, Ron joined the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and was stationed in California. He was honorably discharged in December of 1959 as a Sargent. After returning to Springfield, he worked at several companies but enjoyed most his over thirty years of employment at Jenkins Diesel Power until he retired in 1991 as Parts Manager.
Ron greatly enjoyed playing golf with his buddies, wife, children, grandson, and for that matter anyone. As a member of Green Hills Country Club, he was always sought after for his skills in chipping and putting for a scrambles team. He enjoyed watching sports, live and on TV. For years Ron and Louise were season ticket holders of Missouri State University men and women’s basketball. For years he enjoyed playing chess on his electronic chess board – that kept his mind sharp. He loved donuts, Louise’s biscuits and gravy, and you could always find chocolate near Ron’s chair as that was a staple food for him. He also enjoyed his “smokes”. He was a strong man of faith and was very knowledgable of the Bible, as he read and studied his Bible daily. Most of all, he enjoyed being a husband, father, Papa, brother, son, uncle, and friend. He was selfless in support of his children and grandchildren.
Ron was only in the hospital for a few short days. A special thanks to all the nurses at SSM St. Clare Health Center and to all the caring people at Lakeview Park Independent Living Apartments in Fenton, Missouri, where he lived for the last few months, for their fantastic care of Dad as he prepared to join Louise and the Lord.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Graveside services with military honors will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Missouri State University Foundation designated to the Louise and Roland Harthcock Endowed Scholarship at 300 S. Jefferson Suite 100, Springfield, MO 65806 or a charity of choice.