RONALD LEE STOCKHAM 1943-2002

Ronald Lee Stockham, 59, of McPherson, died Saturday, October 5, 2002, at Hutchinson Hospital. He was a lifetime McPherson County resident and was employed as a gauger in the Terminal Control Center at N.C.R.A. He also owned and operated After Hours Automotive, repairing and installing automobile air conditioning systems. Back in the early 1980's, he operated the Big M Bicycle Moto-Cross (BMX) Track near the Elks club.

He was born April 29, 1943, in McPherson, the son of Dahl, lr. and Belvia (Huston) Stockham. He was the oldest of three sons born to the Stockhams. The family lived in an older farmhouse north of Conway. They were a close family and made many special memories in those early years. Christmas was always a wonderful time when the boys were young and Ron, being the oldest, was responsible for making sure his younger brothers believed in Santa Claus. He came up with all kinds of creative ways to keep them from finding out where those presents were really coming from. He grew up in the Conway community and attended Conway Grade School, (Go Cougars!) graduating from McPherson High School in 1961.

On September 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Ann Kail at Hutchinson. Three children were born to this union; Kevin, Kim, and Kelly. Ron and Cynthia had 39 happy years together and were as close as a couple could be.

Ron had a special relationship with each of his family members. His children recall the times when he would be extremely upset one moment, but in a short period of time, he would completely calm down and act like nothing ever happened. Most problems could be resolved just by sitting down and talking about it over a strong glass of iced tea. Ron didn't always have all the right words but you could tell by the caring look in his eyes and the firm pat on the shoulder that this was a person who really cared.

Ron thrived on having a good time. He was always ready and willing to do something fun if you asked him. One of his all time favorite things was to jump on his Cushman scooter and head for Braums or the Dairy Queen. Eating good food was almost a hobby for Ron, and he had an uncanny ability to sniff out every " all-you-c'an-eat" buffet in the area.

It was about five years ago that Ron got involved in restoring and riding the old Cushman Motor Scooters. His love for the scooters goes all the way back to his childhood. He knew just about anything you could ever want to know about them, and he was constantly wrenching and tinkering on them. It was an incredible sight to see him cruising down the road on his machine, with the thunderous sound coming from the tailpipes. It was almost surreal, and kind of reminded you of watching the pali of a circus where the bear comes out and rides around· on a really small bicycle.

One thing that most people will remember most about Ron is his willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. If anything ever needed fixed or repaired, he was just a phone call away. It was always a great relief to see him come dragging in with his box of tools.

For Ron, his family was always his first pnonty. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he took every opportunity to let them know. His grandchildren enjoyed the special nick-names or little teases he had for them. It was a way for Grandpa to let them know just how much they meant to him . His nieces and nephew were also very near and dear to his heart. At times, Ron was almost a surrogate grandfather to them.

Survivors include: his wife, Cynthia, of the home; two sons, Kevin and his wife, Tammie, of McPherson and Kelly and his wife, Carrie, of McPherson; a daughter, Kim Smith and her husband, 8.1., of Little River; two brothers, Quentin and his wife, Cathy, of McPherson and (his other brother) Darrel and his wife, Cheryl, of Salina; six grandchildren , Kyle, Tashley, Kori , Kassidy, Stevie, and Keaten.

Ron was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin. But more than that, he was a great friend, and the kind of guy you could count on when you really needed him. His smile and his laugh made anyone around him want to smile and laugh along with him. We will all cherish the memories of him and will miss him dearly.

Stockham Family Funeral HOllie

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FUNERAL SERVICE Countryside Covenant Church

McPherson, Kansas Wednesday, October 9,2002, at 2:00 PM

OFFICIATING CLERGY Rev. Rob Bloss

SPECIAL MUSIC Processional: "Daddy's Hands", recorded by Holly Dunn

"One Sweet Day" Nikki Stockham, vocalist

Tim Holgerson, accompanist "I'll be There for You", recorded by Michael W. Smith Congregational Hymn: "Great is Thy Faithfulness" #78

J ames Pauls, pianist

POEM READING Amanda Walker

CASKETBEARERS Cal Willems Jim Humphrey Lonnie Ensminger

Mark Unruh John Brockway Kris Shelite

USHERS Dennis Perera Ron Folck

INTERMENT McPherson Cemetery McPherson, Kansas

MEMORIAL DONATIONS The family suggests that memorial donations be given to the McPherson County D.A.R.E. Program in loving memory of Ron.

APPRECIATION On behalf of the family, we wish to express their sincere appreciation for all your kindnesses, evidenced in thought and deed, and for your presence at this service.