Ronald Gene Zehr

Ronald Gene “Ron” Zehr, age 83, went to be with the Lord, and his beloved wife Jackie, in the early hours of February 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Born April 20, 1941, Ron was adopted in infancy by Alton and Evelyn Zehr and raised with (adopted) sister Rita in the small farming community of Fisher, Illinois. It was here that Ron developed his character of fierce loyalty and a strong work ethic. He was a curious and busy child, reading early and excelling in academics. The Zehr family took annual vacations about the U.S. and it was during these impressionable childhood years that Ron fell in love with the ideas of living in California and the Lake of the Ozarks. At Fisher High School, he joined every extracurricular activity they offered: marching band (1st trumpet), choir, theater, football, basketball, and even some softball. He was an ambitious dreamer, and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. Ron attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity, of which he remained a Life Loyal Sig until the end. He stayed in touch with many of his Sigma Chi brothers, who had given him the nickname “Rube” (unsophisticated country person), which his wife called him for the 60+ years they were married. 

While at IWU, Ron met Jacquelyn (Jackie) Rue, and they married in October 1963. In 1964, they moved to California, and in ‘66 and ‘69 they welcomed daughters, Michele, and then Debbie. Having majored in Business Administration, Ron excelled in his career in sales and management. With many promotions came many moves (12 in 13 years) all over California (with a short stint in OH). In 1977, Ron and Jackie bought a home in the beach town of Leucadia, CA and opened a Western Auto Store where they were small-business owners until 1982. Ron went on to sell high-end European ceramic tile for two distinguished companies that allowed him to bring Jackie on many travel excursions throughout Europe, and eventually he went into business for himself as a rep for other tile manufacturers. Even after retirement, RG Zehr & Associates received repeated requests for new representation as his reputation for industry success had spread throughout Europe over the decades. 

Ron and Jackie joyfully served in the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, and were longtime members of the San Dieguito UM Church where Ron enjoyed singing bass in the choir. One of the most significant highlights of Ron’s mid-life was finding his birth family in 1997 and establishing wonderful relationships with three (Hansen) sisters and their families. After 41 years in their California home, Ron and Jackie moved to a lake-view home in the Lake of the Ozarks (2018), where Ron and Jackie (who passed in September ‘24), enjoyed the tight-knit, loving community of the Kings Point neighborhood of Camdenton, Missouri. 

 A natural orator with an impeccable memory, Ron blessed his family with decades of stories of every person he loved and with whom he lived his incredibly full life. While these adventures are too numerous to tell, Ron wrote a short memoir; ‘A Man of FEW WORDS and Other Little White Lies’ (with contributor Jackie), which he self-published on Amazon.com to gift to friends and family. 

Ron is remembered by beloved friends and family all over the world, and two proud daughters: Michele (husband Troy) and Debbie (Doug); grandchildren Wesley (wife Angelique), Luke, and Suraya; and many nieces and nephews from the Hansen Clan (as well as two special brothers-in-law). 

 An informal memorial service will be held in May, 2025 (TBD) and recorded for those who can’t attend. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations to one of Ron’s favorite philanthropic undertakings Tanner’s Hands 501(c)3 (tannershands.com) would be a blessing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home.