2020/11/obit-hendren123743056_658441915039508_6933883755822834512_n.jpgRonald (Ron) Carl Hendren (76) went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 30 following several years of illness. He is now healthy and whole in the arms of his Savior. He was born in La Junta, Colo., on Jan. 20, 1944, the middle son of Robert (Bob) and Wilma (Kaplicky) Hendren.
Ron graduated from La Junta High School in 1962 and married Luanna (Sayre) Hendren. Their daughter, Ronda, was born in 1967. The family lived in La Junta until 1973, then moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo. Ron returned to La Junta in 1988.
Ron was not just a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of many. He loved learning and he applied that to every aspect of his life. He learned many different trades — electrician, plumbing and construction, which all came in handy as a part of “The Hendren Construction Company,” building with his father, brothers, uncle and nephews. He loved woodworking, leather crafting and beading, which he learned as a Koshare, in Scout Troop 231. Ron shared his daughter Ronda’s love of music and taught himself to play a variety of instruments — trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, guitar, banjo and piano. He also taught himself Spanish. Ron also loved restoring cars and motorcycles, including a 1950s sideboard pickup.
Ron completed basic training and was a part of the Colorado National Guard Army Reserves. He worked several jobs in La Junta and was a volunteer for the La Junta Police Department. Upon moving to Pagosa Springs, he worked as an auto shop foreman at Johnson Chevrolet. He became an EMT and helped the local doctors and law enforcement build the program. He was a volunteer firefighter and a public safety officer. When he returned to La Junta, he went to work for the Otero County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department. In 1993, Ron went to work at the Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas as a sergeant and retired as staff training manager. Following in his father’s footsteps, along with his brother Gary, Ron became a Mason and a Shriner, where he was a part of the Oriental Band Unit and the Little Ts.
Ron was a loyal friend, a dedicated son, brother, husband and father, an upstanding member of any community he was in, and was dearly loved by all who knew him. He will be missed terribly.
Ron is survived by his daughter, Ronda (Brian) Sheldon; grandchildren Sarah (16) and Daniel (13), all of Spokane, Wash.; brothers Bill (Linda Jo) Hendren, of Greeley, Colo., and Gary (Dianna) Hendren, of La Junta. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Wilma.
Ron’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes scattered with his parents’. No formal service will be held.
One of Ron’s greatest joys was to sponsor children in need of surgery at the Shriner’s Hospital. The family asks that you please consider a donation in Ron’s memory at donate.lovetotherescue.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com.
