Ronald J. Greenwood (1940-2019)

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Ronald J. Greenwood, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died on Feb. 2, 2019, at the age of 78 after a nine-year battle with multiple myeloma.  
Ron joined the Navy in 1961 to be a naval aviator, achieving his various pilot licenses and becoming aircraft carrier landing qualified. When describing what it was like, he would throw a paperclip on the floor and say, “Finding the boat on the ocean was like finding this paperclip on the floor. And, to an aviator, it wasn’t a ship, it was a boat!”  
His biggest regret was leaving the Navy in 1963, and his biggest joy was establishing Greenwood Bison ranch in 1996.  
For 20 years, Ron was a bison rancher near Wilson who won 17 awards for the quality of his stock at the Kansas Buffalo Association annual sales during the years of 2004-2012. It was a sad day for him and his family to have to sell the herd in 2016, due to his deteriorating health.  
Ron was a traditionalist about most things, except when it came to shooting. Boys and girls alike were required to become proficient with all types and calibers of firearms. He enjoyed teaching his boys to be hunters as well.  
Most people recognized Ron or noticed him by his quintessential cowboy look. The hat, boots, buckle and vest were his trademark, and, oh yes, the mustache! Ron judged a vehicle by the ability for him to wear his hat while driving. Not many passed the test!  
Yes, he could ride. Pete, a bay quarter horse was his best friend along with the sidekick, Jenny, a miniature donkey. He knew he was dying and physically couldn’t, but the day before he died, he said he wished he could have ridden Pete a few more times.
Ron was at peace with dying. Since his marriage to Berneice, Ron attended Catholic mass, although he didn’t join the church until 1978 when his son, James, received first communion. Afterwards, folks would tease him that they wondered what big sin he had that kept him from receiving communion. It never dawned on them that he wasn’t Catholic!
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Olive, and his prize bulls, Fred and Ted.  
He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Berneice; four kids, Kim, Debby and spouse Randy Pfeifer, James and spouse Becky, Tim and spouse Teresa; 19 grandkids; one great-granddaughter; his sister Linda and spouse Tom Bartlett; the best horse he ever rode, Pete; and Jenny, the donkey.
Private family funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial followed in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery.  
Memorials are suggested to the NRA, American Legion, or the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, Kan. 67669.  
Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com

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