Ronald Lee Hoagland, rancher and life-long Barber County, resident, died in Pratt, Kansas on June 3, 2022 at the age of 81.
Ronnie was born July 22, 1940 in Medicine Lodge, to Eva Darlene Morehead and Raymond Harold “Bill” Hoagland. He was raised on the family place north of Sun City with his siblings, Richard “Dick” and Deloris “Dee Dee”, and spent considerable time with his grandparents, Cliff and Bernice (Lott) Hoagland, on their ranch south of Lake City.
He was married to Judith Sue Thornton for 62 years and they raised four daughters, Marsha Ann, Kimberly Kay, Laura Diane, and Rhonda Sue.
Surviving are his wife, Judy; daughters, Marsha Hoagland, Kim and Roger Fowles, Diane and Norman Johnson, and Rhonda and Robert Gabriel; sister, Deloris “Dee Dee” Freeman (Doug); sister-in-law, Janice Hoagland; grandchildren, Landon Fowles (Amy), Alexandra Koch, Abigaile Harris (Miles), Taylor Wheelock, Austin Wheelock, Blayze Scott, and Phinn Scott; great-grandchildren, Cooper Harris, Molly Harris, and Orion Fowles; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Richard “Dick” and Clifford, and son-in-law, Jay Scott.
Ronnie spent the majority of his time at his ranch south of Lake City. In addition to raising cattle, he spent considerable effort developing water sources, improving fencing, eradicating cedar trees, and improving the grasslands, as well as operating a sawmill for many years. One of his most significant improvements was the development of a 40-acre watershed for a water source and flood control, as well as recreational opportunities. The Barber County Conservation District recognized his lifetime of conversation activities by awarding him the Grassland Award in 2018. When he wasn’t working he could be found hunting, fishing, and filling the numerous deer feeders on the ranch. He was a prolific reader and was never without a book.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in the early 1970s and was a member of the Sun City Baptist Church.
A private family memorial service will be held at the Hoagland ranch on Saturday, June 11, 2022.