KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. -- Rondle (Ron) Douglas, 79, passed on to his eternal reward on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at his home in Branson West, Mo. At his side were his loving wife of 62 years Shirley (Cagle) Douglas, his son, sister, and several other family members. Ron was born Sept. 14, 1938 to Marvin and Geneva (Gillespie) Douglas, in Bloomfield, Mo.
On Aug. 23, 1955 he married his sweetheart Shirley (Cagle), and they set off for Kalamazoo, Mich. to begin their adventure in the industrial north, where several Missouri relatives helped them make their start. Ron worked his way to become a journeyman plastics mold-maker at one of the premier shops in the area, and after a few years, he and Shirley made the courageous leap to found their own small mold-making operation close to their birthplaces in Southeast Missouri. In 1969 the family moved to Poplar Bluff, Mo. and the entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Moark Mold. Through hard work and dedication, the business grew from the original three employees, Ron, Shirley and one other, to eventually employ over 100 people. Ron trained and mentored many mold-makers and craftsman along the way and many owe their successful careers and businesses to Ron. He also was instrumental in helping his son start a successful mold-making and molding operation.
Being the dreamer and doer that Ron was, after the sale of the mold-making operation, he then began his career in the trucking business, owning and operating trucks, traveling every state and Canada. He and Shirley retired to Arizona and Branson West, where they spent the last 20 plus years golfing, traveling and hanging out with family and friends. But Ron never wasted time...he became a master woodcarver, spending countless hours building family members model trucks and tractors, and keepsakes of all kinds which will forever remind us of his love, work ethic, and dedication to his family.
In addition to his wife Shirley, he is survived by son Rondle (Ron D.) Douglas and wife Cyndi of Springfield, Mo.; daughter Gayle Douglas Hickman and husband Randall, of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughter Lindsey Douglas Novak and her husband Ryan of San Tan Valley, Ariz.; grandson Matthew Hickman of Lockwood, Mo., granddaughter Brenna Douglas Watson and her husband Michael of Springfield, Mo., sister Jane Swearengin of Oklahoma, brother Paul Douglas of Dexter, Mo., and sister Glenna Chaffin of Madison, Ala., and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ron was a loving husband and father, skilled craftsman, kind animal lover and the best friend anyone could have. Ron was not the kind of person to ask if you needed help...he just went and helped without asking, never seeking glory, his only reward being the friendship and love only earned through true caring. He also made a confident profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and we look forward to a glorious reunion with him some day. The Douglas family would like to give their thanks to the caring staff at St. Luke's Hospital and Hospice in Kansas City, and all the many friends and prayer partners who joined in helping his last days to be pleasant.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m, Saturday, April 7 with visitation from 10 -11 a.m., at the Kimberling City United Methodist Church located at 57 Kimberling Boulevard, Kimberling City, MO 65686. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the St. Luke's Foundation, 4225 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111 or Kimberling City United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home Kimberling City, Mo.
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