Ronald "Ron" Mead

Ronald (Ron) Dean Mead was called to heaven in the early hours of September 30, 2020 surrounded by his children, his beloved dog, Jade and his grandpup, Lilydog. He had valiantly fought cancer for nearly two years at the time he was called home.

Ron was born January 1, 1945 in Greeley, Colorado. Being born into a Union Pacific Railroad family, he and his family moved about the country many times in his youth. He fondly recalled living on a beach in Southern California and playing by the South Platte River with his brother at a remote depot/switch station in Union, Colorado.

His moving adventures continued as an adult with moves to North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Nebraska again, where he settled for the last 30 plus years in Chappell, Nebraska.

Ron had a giving spirit with The St. Joseph Indian School of Chamberlin, South Dakota, The ASPCA, The Disabled American Veterans and Feed The Children among the organizations he gave monetary donations to on a monthly basis; these causes were very close to his heart. Yet his best attribute was, perhaps, the giving of his time to friends – whether to help with a house project, hosting game nights, baking a pie “just because”, or just having an open ear to listen. He may have been The Grumpy Old Man, but he was a man who saw the best in you when you couldn’t always see it yourself.

If you were to ask his family and friends, Ron was a man with a great variety of hobbies and had little care for just sitting back and watching television. He loved gardening, baking, creating art in the form of paintings and woodwork, the feel of the open road on his motorcycle and frequent trips to Chappell Lake daily with Jade.

Ron is survived by his children Jack (Brenda) Mead of Ogallala and Laurie (Tom) Groninger of Lawrence, Kansas; his grandchildren Aaron (Crystal) Mead – who he considered a second son – of Scottsbluff, Louis (Louise) Bateman of Lawrence, Kansas, Joseph (Kiran) Bateman of Raymore, Missouri, Riah Mead and Larissa Mead of Ogallala, and Ben (Amanda) Mead of Brule; and his great-grandchildren, Bryleigh, Emilee, Paisley, Ethan, Nathan, and Milo.

In his last days, Ron requested to not have a funeral service as he did not want those he loved and who loved him to be sad. He had lived a good life, fought a good fight, and was looking forward to being reunited with his beloved brother, Dennis, and his faithful furry companion, Mistie.

Instead, a Last Ride, is being organized by Ron’s fellow motorcycle enthusiasts from the area, scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2020, followed by a Celebration of Life open house from 3-5 p.m. at the Fire Hall in Chappell, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial donations in his name can be directed to the Chappell Lake Fund and Adopt-A-Dog Animal Rescue, 16724 US-30, Chappell, Nebraska (through whom he obtained Jade).