Ron Smith

Ronnie Adrian Smith, age 76, died Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Western Prairie Senior Living Community in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born on December 5, 1949, in Ulysses, Kansas, the son of George Adrian and Norma Jean (Meyer) Smith.
Ron lived in Burwell, Nebraska, for a few years, but spent most of his life in Ulysses and graduated from Ulysses High school in 1968. He attended Hutchinson Community College for a semester then was a welder's assistant in Texas. Ron enlisted in the United States Army serving three years, including Vietnam and Germany. After an honorable discharge, he returned to college and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Administration and Secondary Education from Fort Hays State University where he was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Ron began his teaching career in Smith Center, Kansas. He married Jeryl Annette Flinn on April 12, 1980, in Cawker City. They moved to Ulysses and he served as Assistant Director of the Grant County Recreation. He later taught Spanish and Language Arts for 19 years, was an Assistant Principal for 20 years, a wrestling coach for eight years, and served 11 years as a school board member for USD 214.
Ron was also a board member for eight years on the Grant County Fair Board and also served on the High Plains Education Board. As the sponsor, he and the Ulysses High School Spanish Club ran concessions for the Ulysses Gun Club shows.
Ron enjoyed hunting, taking fishing trips with his buddies, father-in-law and stepfather-in-law, incubating and releasing quail, and supporting the students of USD 214 in all their activities and sports. He was also a member of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Ron is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeryl Smith of their home; sister, Linda Pearl Galcatcher Haikey, of Holcomb; nephews, Dakota Dezelske, Ian Dezelske, and Patrick Aller and wife Andrea; nieces, Brenna Aller and husband Fernando Rivas, Sidney Flinn, and Riley Flinn; great-nieces and nephews; and many friends and former students.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, George and Norma Smith; sister, Nancy Jo Smith; father-in-law, Clifford Flinn; and stepfather-in-law, Frank Stramel.
Rosary will be Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM with Funeral Mass following at 10:00 AM both at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Reverend Eric Gyamfi officiating. Mass will be live streamed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery with military honors by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79. Visitation is Friday, December 19, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to the Western Prairie Senior Living Community, Ulysses High School Wrestling Department or Furever Friends in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.