Ronald Dean Locke

Ronald D. Locke, 71, of Hollister, MO, passed away on January 21, 2020 at Cox Medical Center, Branson. 

Ron was born on July 9, 1948 to Donna Mae (Ireland) Locke Jones and Homer Lee Locke Sr. in Cameron, Missouri.  In 1968, Ron got an “invitation” from Uncle Sam he simply could not refuse.  He was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Leonard Wood. Ron opted to continue serving his country, retiring in 1985.  Following his Army retirement, Ron joined the Reno County Sheriff’s Dept., Hutchinson, Kansas, attaining the rank of shift sergeant before retiring from there.  Not being one to sit around, he took a post-retirement job at Kwik Shop, advancing to assistant manager, before an injury sidelined him.

On May 11, 1985, Ron married LaNeta S. Kerner in Concordia, KS.  She survives.  He is also survived by a daughter, Shonna Marie Cook, Omaha, NE, brother-in-law Bruce Kerner (Carol); nieces, Angela Kerner and Kimberly Berges (Travis); and great-niece, Brynlee Berges.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandmother, Nora Ireland and aunt, Ruby Ireland Russell Lawhon.

In November, 2013, Ron and LaNeta moved to Hollister, MO, enjoying the beautiful Ozark mountains and all things Branson!  

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 12:00 P.M. in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, 1638 E. Hwy 76, Branson, Missouri.  Ron will be interred at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd. Springfield, MO at a later date.

Ron was never a “suit and tie” kind of guy, so casual clothing is encouraged.  He also wasn’t a “flower guy”. Memorials may be to Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reno County Veterans' Memorial, Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society, Tri-Lakes Humane Society or a non-profit charity of donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald Dean Locke, please visit our floral store.