Ron Joseph Duran went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 24, 2025. Ron was born in Wichita, Kansas to Monico S. and Cleopha M. (Reinert) Duran. He grew up with his brother, Mike, and his sister Bonita (Green) in Wichita. Mike passed away in 2013. Bonita adored her “big brother”. Ron enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam. He was proud of the time he served on the USS Oriskany.
When Ron got out of the service he settled in San Francisco for a while. He met Regina Molina, and Dawn Conrad was born to this union. They later moved to Tiller, Oregon. Ron worked in the forest there planting trees.
One of Dawn’s fondest memories is Ron teaching her how to swim in the river. They spent summers working in the garden and swimming. Dawn remembers picking blackberries and her mom making cobbler. Ron enjoyed his years in Oregon and had many stories to tell about his time there.
He loved Oregon, but he always said, “It was just time for me to leave.” Ron spoke often of Dawn’s children, his granddaughter, Savannah Glahn (Sprouse), and grandson, Zachary Sprouse. He loved showing the latest pictures he had of his great grandchildren, Alana and Addison Glahn.
Ron later returned to Kansas and while he was in Wichita, he met, and later married Crystal Freeman. They moved to Beloit, and later settled in Downs.
Crystal’s daughter, Dawnell, is proud to call Ron her dad. Dawnell’s fondest memories are hanging out with Ron and talking about life. Ron enjoyed sharing his words of wisdom with Dawnell and her husband Josh. He taught her about cars, cooking and life in general.
Ron always enjoyed visiting with the grandchildren that Dawnell blessed him with: Kayden, Rylin, Kylus, Draven, and Josell.
Ron met Terri (Kriewald) Timmons, and they married on June 28, 2015. They enjoyed many tender memories together. This marriage expanded Ron’s family. Terri’s children are David Timmons and Krista Carlson. Krista has two sons, Daniel and Jonathn, David’s sons David Lee Psota and Ryan Kirby each held a special place in his heart and called him Grandpa.
Ron acknowledged his love for Jesus Christ his Lord in November of 2016, and he was baptized in the Solomon River. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Downs, where he was an elder and chairman of the board.
Ron enjoyed spending time in nature. He said that is where God communicated with him. He spent many hours walking his dogs and watching the bald eagles’ nests. He loved to fish. In later years, he fished for men. He was never afraid to talk to others about his faith. He would always say “Go with God and watch out for the deer.”
After coming back to Kansas, Ron worked construction and as a cook in restaurants. He then worked for Sunflower, where he earned his 15 year certificate and continued working. He was the Animal Control Officer in Downs where he said he was doing it for the animals he loved.
Ron will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him.
Ron is survived by his wife Terri, his sister Bonita Green and husband Brian, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mike and wife Crystal.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 2, at the First Christian Church in Downs, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Diamond Willow Ministries in care of Schoen Funeral Home And Monuments, 1001 Morgan Ave., Downs, Kansas 67437. Online condolences to schoenfhm.com