Ronald Eugene Brown, Rock Port, Missouri, formerly of Tarkio, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at Pleasant View Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 79.

Ronnie was born in Hamburg, Iowa, June 23, 1944, to Marjorie Brown and Robert Vance. On June 4, 1961, he married Sharron G. Pitner, and they made their home in Tarkio. To this union, one daughter was born, Lori Ann.

In Ronnie’s early years, he worked for Simpson Roofing Company, where he learned the roofing trade. In the early 60’s, he worked for MoDOT and then went to work at Tarkio College for Broughton Food Service working his way up to food service manager. In 1970, he and Sharron bought the “Downtowner Tavern.”  While Sharron managed and operated the tavern, Ronnie started his roofing business and helped local carpenters, Merle and Danny McCoy, Marvin Freeman and Jim Bob Barker. He also drove trucks for Cecil Hughes, Darrell Ray Smith, and Gene and Richard Broermann.

Ronnie loved to fish and while Lori was growing up, they spent a lot of time at Centerview Fishing Lake, north of Tarkio. He also enjoyed taking care of his yard and garden and loved to drink cold beer with his neighbors and was a proud member of the “Myrtle Street Gang.”

Ronnie was an avid sports fan, football and golf being his favorite. He was adopted by the Tarkio College Owl football team and was presented with an honorary letterman’s jacket. He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan and loved watching them win three super bowls with his grandson Dalton. He was a Tarkio Indian fan while Lori was in school but when the grandchildren, Veronica and Dalton, and later great-grandchildren, Rush and Baylin came along, he became a Rock Port Blue Jay fan. He absolutely loved watching them participate in sports and never missed a game. When Dalton became assistant football coach and later head football coach for the Rock Port Blue Jays, Ronnie beamed with pride. Golf was the other sport he loved. He was a gifted golfer and loved sharing his skills with Dalton and his nephew, Lance.

Family was the most important part of Ronnie’s life. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they were his absolute pride and joy! Ronnie was a 50+ year member of North-Star Lodge AF & AM, Rock Port, member of Scottish Rite Body of St. Joseph, Missouri, and member of Moila Shrine Temple, St. Joseph.

Ronnie is survived by his daughter, Lori Jones (Eric Woynaroski), Watson, Missouri; granddaughter, Veronica Lewis (Jason), Rock Port, grandson, Dalton Jones, Tarkio; great-grandsons, Rush Lewis and Kendan Melton, great-granddaughter, Baylin Lewis, step-great granddaughter, Alexis Graves (Max & Magnolia) Tarkio; sister, Cherie Beason, Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Sheleen Gayler, Ozark, Missouri; Sheila Buchan (Bob) Mesa, Arizona; and several nieces, nephews, and friends that he cherished! Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Sharron; mother, Marjorie Herrick, father, Robert Vance; aunt, Charlotte Moses who raised him; sister, Regena Irvine; in-laws, Darrell and Delouise Pitner; brothers-in-law, William “Bill” Shirk, and Harold “Butch” Gayler; nieces Tasha Berls and Tifani Clements.

*** The family requests casual attire for the visitation and service.***

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 8, 2024, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

Masonic Service: 5:30 P.M., Friday, June 7, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

Open visitation will begin 9:00 A.M., Friday, June 7, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M.

Interment: Center Grove Cemetery, Westboro, Missouri

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rock Port R-II Athletics

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio

www.minterfuneralchapels.com