Ronald “Ron” K. Young

Ronald K. Young, 79, passed away peacefully November 27, 2023, in Lawrence, KS.

Ron was born January 31, 1944, in Kingman, KS, the first child of Clay (Bus) and Esther (Maple) Young.  He attended grades 1 – 6 at Belmont Grade School, and Jr. and Sr. High School in Kingman.  Ron was awarded a BA (Harding College) and Masters degree (University of Kentucky) in Political Science.  He married Karen Hardy with whom he had two sons, Erik and Jared.  He worked for the State of Arkansas, retiring after many years as the Director of Training and Development for the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services.

After retirement he continued to live in Little Rock until 2007 when he returned to Kingman County to help care for his parents.  In 2014 he moved to Lawrence to live with his loving partner and companion Kim Kickhaefer.  Ron’s passions included reading, a deep appreciation of the natural world, and keeping up with his extended family.  Although widely travelled with trips to Scotland, Ireland, Europe, Australia, and Peru, Ron’s greatest travel love by far was driving and hiking throughout the American West.

Survivors include Kim, sons Erik (Tammy) and Jared (Debra), grandchildren Morgan, Rory, and Athen, siblings David Young (Alma), Jane Seim (Mark), Elaine McCullough (Larry), and Marty McCann (Charlie), and eleven nieces and nephews.  All of us, and Kim’s family also, loved him dearly.

The family extends its appreciation to Bridge Haven Memory Care staff for their loving care of Ron.

A celebration of Ron’s life is planned for this coming spring in Kingman.  Friends and family will be advised of the date and time.