Ronald “Ron” Eugene Wedman passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 25, 2018 surrounded by his family.
He was born in 1940, exactly 78 years to the day that he was born. He is the son of William Francis and Louise Ella (Brueggen) Wedman and is one of 12 children.
Ron followed in his father’s and his grandfather’s footsteps in farming and ranching. He lovingly and meticulously maintained the original homestead and other farmland that was settled by his family in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 and successfully continued the rich agriculture heritage passed on to him by his early family agricultural pioneers.
Ron’s life can be summed up as a quiet and humble servant-leader, leading first by example and always being ready and willing to help anyone who asked for his guidance, advice, or to lend a hand. His love for the FFA program was a part of his entire life, being an FFA member in high school and passing that love on to his children, teaching them how to raise and exhibit livestock, and also helping and supporting numerous other FFA members with their livestock projects.
He was recognized for his volunteer service to the FFA by receiving the Honorary State and Yukon FFA Degrees. He served on boards for the Farm Bureau and USDA Farm Service Agency, as well as serving as a Canadian County Fair Board member for more than 20 years. Ron was also named the State Fair of Oklahoma Premier Beef Breeder in 1977 and 1978.
Ron loved spending time with his family at gatherings, whether it was a small gathering of his wife, kids and grandkids by a campfire on the farm roasting hot dogs, or the big annual family reunion held in the summer and attended by a host of brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed an occasional deer or turkey hunt with a few of his friends and family.
When family or friends dropped by after a long day’s work, relaxation meant sitting on a lawn chair on the farm and, in his words, “palavering” about the weather, the wheat crop, cattle prices, or current events of the world or community. On many occasions he could be quoted as saying, “I don’t know nothin’ about nothin’ but…” and then proceeded to offer words of wisdom – usually right on the money with truth—and words to which many would hold on.
Ron’s Catholic faith guided him in everything he did. Prayer was the center of his daily life, his career, and raising his family. He was a life-long member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon, OK.
Ron is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ada (Cleal), and children Lisa Garza and husband Ralph; Rhonda Matousek and husband Robert; Michelle Jones; Steve Wedman and wife Melody (Tilley); Justin Wedman and wife Melissa (Allen); along with 11 grandchildren, Tyler and Paige Garza; Michaela and fiance Coleman Benson, Hannah, and Maggie Matousek; Garrett Jones and wife Skyler (Leathers); Shelby Jones; Brady and Devin Wedman; and Madilynn and Jack Wedman.
The family encourages friends and family to share their memories of Ron at http://www.smith-turnermortuary.com and click on Ron’s picture.
A wake/vigil service will be held Sunday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial being held Monday, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Both services in St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon with burial following in the Yukon Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Smith & Turner Mortuary, Yukon.
