Ronald A. Brown

Ronald A. Brown, 87, of Columbia passed away at his home Wednesday, March 24, 2021. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Bach - Yager Funeral Chapel in Columbia, 1610 N. Garth Avenue, Columbia, Mo.  Visitation will be held at the chapel on Sunday, March 28 from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by the memorial service at 4 p.m.  There will also be a service in his adopted hometown of Princeton, MO on Monday, March 29 under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home.    Visitation will be at the First Christian Church from 1 to 2 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m.  Following the service, interment of ashes and military rites will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Lineville, Iowa.

Ron was born in Audrain County, MO on September 14, 1933, the son of Arthur A. and Mary Virginia (Melson) Brown.  He graduated from Mexico High School in 1952.  He attended Westminster College in Fulton, MO and the University of Missouri, Columbia. Ron enlisted in the army in 1953 during the Korean War serving 2 years in Germany with the 32nd Field Battalion as Battalion Radio Operator.  He married Doris E. Riney in December 1955.  They were the parents of 2 sons and a daughter.

 He spent the next several years in sales including insurance, insurance underwriting and sales of medical products.  He retired in 1992 and immediately began another career with Red Weir Athletic Supply in their Awards and Recognition program area engraving and building trophies and plaques.  During that time, he also served four years on the National Board of Directors Awards and Recognition Association and was the organization’s treasure for one of those years.  He retired from Red Weir Athletic Supply in 2010.

Ron was a life member of Optimist International where he served in many different areas.  He also loved working with children, working in various capacities as a volunteer with Diamond Council for over 30 years. He coached, umpired, managed equipment and was on their Board of Directors.  He also truly appreciated people who served in the military and assisted with the Memorial Day Air Show.  After going on Military Honor Flight #36 to Washington DC, his latest love became volunteering with the Honor Flight of Central Missouri.  He continued volunteering for flights 38 through 63 and especially enjoyed welcoming veterans when they returned to Columbia after their flight. He was an avid bowler and loved his Monday nights with the guys. He also served on the Columbia Senior Activities Board and volunteered at the Central Missouri Food Bank until ill health forced him to quit.

Ron married Judy (Hunter) Logan in August 1986.  They loved to travel and managed trips to Mexico, the Bahamas, Europe and Alaska before his health forced the cancellation of subsequent travel. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, two sons David (Barb) and Chris (Debbie) and one daughter Jennifer (Jeff) all of the St. Louis area.  He is also survived by his step children who he considered his own, Greg Logan (Marla), St. Louis, Linda Logan Siemer (Todd), Princeton and Lisa Logan, Sunrise Beach.  He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a stepson Gary Logan.

In lieu of flowers, Ron asked that donations be made to either the Central Missouri Honor Flight, 1400 Forum Blvd. Ste. 7-A, Box 334, Columbia, MO 65203, Columbia Senior Activities Center, 1121 Business Loop 70 East, Columbia, MO 65202, or the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, 2101 Vandiver Drive, Columbia, MO 65202.

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