Ronald Davidson, age 82, of Sparta, Missouri, passed away on January 25, 2026, at The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek in Springfield, Missouri, where he was treated with love like family. Ron was born to Glenn Davidson and Mary Mae Boor on February 19, 1943 in Great Bend, Kansas. He was raised in Dayton, Ohio, until the age of sixteen when his parents moved the family to Chadwick, Missouri. Ron graduated from Chadwick High School in 1961. Ron said that he was baptized in the Church of Christ. He was united in marriage to Janet Sue Jenkins on November 27, 1963, in Oldfield, Missouri, at the home of his pastor, Jack Richardson. Ron and Sue shared 62 years of marriage before his untimely passing on Sunday. The couple was blessed with one daughter, Julia Ann.

Ron was employed as a grade checker with Bridges Construction, as well as other road construction companies. It seemed as though every time one would ride with him most anywhere around the Springfield-Branson area, he would remark, “I helped build this road…or that parking lot.” When Ron wasn’t on the job, he enjoyed reading Hot Rod magazines and working on cars. He loved drag racing his 1962 Plymouth and some of his other cars he had over time. His daughter recalls many nights of her windows rattling as he revved up the engines in their garage.

Ron also love Street Rods. He enjoyed restoring a 1934 Ford five-window coup and attended many Street Rod shows just for fun. He also restored a 1934 Ford pickup that he was occasionally able to drag race. Ron enjoyed time spent at Kenny Jenkins’ place with all his many “car friends.” Another enjoyment of Ron’s was traveling with Sue. They bought a vintage 1976 Argosy camper trailer with which they enjoyed RV life. They shared a lot of good memories from their many trips.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mary Davidson; sister, Sondra Sue Phinney and her husband, Kenneth; son-in-law, David Bradley Goodall; and great-grandson, Samuel Bryan Lanza. He is survived by his wife, Janet Sue Davidson; daughter, Julie Ann Goodall; grandchildren: Ryan Bradley Goodall and his wife, Claudia; Katrina Leanne Vela and her husband, Vincent; and Melissa Jo Lanza and her husband, Jesse; five great-grandchildren: Isaac Bryan Lanza, Levi Bradley Goodall, Micah Bryan Lanza, Neal Jeremiah Goodall, and Ezra Bryan Lanza. Ron is also survived by two nieces and one nephew: Kristen Layne Johnson and her husband, Chris (also a great help); Kimra Dawn Dupler and her husband, David; and Kurtis Lee Phinney (who helped care for him with love). Ron also leaves behind a very good friend, John Zerr.

A visitation for Ron will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri. A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 4:00 pm. Ron will be laid to rest at Old Boston Cemetery in Oldfield, Missouri, on Friday, January 30, 2025, at 10:00 am.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.

Dad always taught honesty, good character, and to do things

right, not halfway. He loved his wife and family very much

and enjoyed his friends. There are several that were special

to him and I couldn’t give all the names, but you probably know

who you are. Thank you for your friendship. If you are someone he

did business with, thank you for your integrity.

Dad had many talents that he didn’t really brag about but he put

them to use and taught some of them to others.

Thank you, Dad