ALTAMONT — Ronald Slabaugh, 82, of rural Altamont passed away peacefully in his home the morning of Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Ronald Bruce “Ron” Slabaugh was born on Aug. 25, 1942, to Garold Lloyd and Gladys Estella (Swift) Slabaugh in Emporia. He grew up on the Z-Bar Ranch and attended school in Strong City.
After graduating from high school, Ron worked as a cowboy for the Z-Bar Ranch, when he was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 21. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Carol “Ginger” Park, in Belton, Texas, where Ron was stationed at Fort Hood shortly after he served 13 months in Korea. Ron was transitioned from active duty to join the United States Army Reserves and return to ranching at the Z-Bar. He was called back to active duty during the Vietnam War for one year and later served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Ron made the honorable decision to claim the military as his career for 38 years.
In 1972, Ron and his wife, Ginger, settled in Altamont, where they have been active members of this community for the past 42 years. Anyone who knew Ron would say that he was kind, compassionate and would give his shirt off his back to a stranger. He was also known to have a little ornery streak about him.
As a committed Christian, Ron was one of the founding members of the Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially traveling the country with his wife and horse trail-riding friends. His favorite days were spent with his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Ron is survived by his wife, Ginger Slabaugh of Altamont; a daughter, Kristi Holvert and her husband, Marvis, of Joplin, Missouri; a son, Justin Slabaugh of Altamont; six grandchildren, Kaylee Guenther and her husband, Kyle, Kinsey Essery and her husband, Tommy, Demitri Buxton, Kyran Buxton, Kolton Buxton and his wife, Katie, and Kamri Sexton; six great-grandchildren, Liam, Lane, Avalynn, Kodi, Bailynn and Ryatt; an uncle, Elmer Swift; an aunt, Addie Deweese; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Garold “Roy” Slabaugh.
The celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Western Way Cowboy Church.
The family suggests memorials to Western Way Cowboy Church or Wounded Warriors. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
See OBITUARIES, Page 3.
