Ronald Maurice (Ron) Huntington, 79, of Yukon, completed his life’s journey early Saturday morning, March 16, 2019. He valiantly battled cancer for 8 months. Up until the end he never allowed it to rob him of his humor and joy for life. He leaves behind a long list of loving family and friends.
Ron was a true son of Oklahoma; a fifth generation Oklahoman. Ron himself was born on a farm south of Luther on January 27, 1940 to George Ferris and Alice Kathryn Huntington.
From infancy he graced the world around him with a quick smile, wit and laughter. He lived his life with humor, kindness and a hard work ethic. He also had an ornery streak that was never mean spirited.
Ron loved to tell stories of his Luther childhood; including life on a farm, working in his grandfather NaNa’s furniture store and ice dock, and his family’s movie theater. He lettered in football, baseball and basketball, and managed to find time as a Boy Scout to usher at OU football games during the Bud Wilkinson era. He remained a Sooner fan the rest of his life. He was also a loyal Thunder fan.
Ron attended Central State College in Edmond and served his country from 1962-1968 in the Air National Guard. He completed his service in the Air Force Reserve when his first wife Faye took a teaching assignment in Wichita, KS. While in Wichita they had their only child, Chad Huntington.
Ron began his career in the lumber and building materials industry while in Wichita, a career which continued until his retirement in 2015.
In late 1993 Ron married his best friend Shirley, who was also his golf buddy. Ron and his son Chad were immediately surrounded by Shirley’s warm and loving family, including daughter Angie, sons Matt and Sam and their families. For the next 26 years Ron enjoyed and thrived in the role of Grandpa Ron.
Ron’s extended family included members of Surrey Hills Golf Club, where Ron and Shirley played golf and ultimately made their home for the last 23 years. Several of their friends also routinely accompanied them on golf trips.
Ron is survived by wife Shirley, son Chad, stepdaughter Angie James and husband Steve, stepson Sam Bursch and wife Jackie, all of OKC. He is also survived by grandchildren Makayla Orlich and husband Tim, Jenny James, Danielle Campbell and husband Dillon, Chance and Andrew Bursch of OKC, Leslie, Joey, and Trevor Bursch of Pryor, great grandchildren McKenzie Bursch, Logan, Olivia and Madeline Orlich, all of OKC. He is also survived by his sister Janice Gillespie and brother-in-law Duane of Jones. Ron was preceded in death by his father and mother, and by stepson Matt.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Yanda and Son Funeral Home Chapel, 1500 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon, OK 73099.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Oklahoma Lung Initiative, 5616 N.W. 107 Terr. Oklahoma City, OK, 73162, OklahomaLungCancer.org.
