Ronald D. Durflinger

Ronald Dean Durflinger, 71, of Lawrence, Kansas passed from this earth on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Bridge Haven in Lawrence, Kansas.

Ron was born on June 19, 1952 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born to Irvin and Margaret (Butler) Durflinger. During his early years of school, he was showing signs of superior intellect, especially in mathematics and literature. Due to this, he was able to move up a grade. He adapted well with his peers despite being younger than them.

Ron attended Hutchinson High School (The Salt Hawks). During Ron’s high school years, he understood that he was responsible for his college education. He decided he was going to focus on his strengths, which was academics rather than athletics. His plan worked and he rose from complete anonymity to being recognized academically, not only locally, but statewide and nationally. In the Spring of 1969, he was accepted to Yale University with a full scholarship. He then graduated from high school a few short months later.

Ron saw that the Yale experience was not for him and left after 3 semesters. He then hitchhiked to Lawrence to begin the next chapter of his life. Upon arriving to Lawrence, Ron took up multiple different jobs with humble means which afforded him the opportunity to develop self-sufficiency. Ron then decided to focus on writing novels and working in the home building industry. After a few short years of working as a framing contractor, he started his own framing contracting company.

After a successful run as a framing contractor, Ron decides to make the leap and opens Durflinger Homes. His business became a successful and well-known home building company. “At first, I envisioned Utopia. I wanted to accept nothing less than personal monuments although I knew that to be an impossible dream. In the end I was content with the knowledge that I had provided, on my own small scale, a competitive value, a product in which I believed and of which I was proud. Luckily, at the same time I was able to develop a rapport with those both above and below me that would sustain business, friendship, and respect. Were it not for the industry’s current economic position, particularly in the area of my involvement, I may have continued. Regardless, the ideals and questions of that portion of my life are now satisfied. It is time to move forward.” Ron was very active and held positions in the Lawrence Homebuilders Association and was a member of the Douglas County Planning Commission.

Ron is survived by 2 children, Ronald and Ami. He is preceded in death by his father Irvin, his mother Margaret, and 3 brothers, Brad, Ray, and Corky.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s name to Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com .