Ronald E. Gress

Ronald Eugene Gress, age 81, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on March 1st, 2025 at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Hospital, after a lengthy battle with multiple health issues.

His funeral will be held on Friday, March 14th at 10:00am at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, located at 11200 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, KS. There will be a viewing held just prior to the service, at 9:00am that morning. He will also be buried there at the Memorial Gardens, following the service.

Ron Gress was born on January 20th, 1944 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up mainly in Kansas, and he graduated high school at Overland Christian High. After beginning college at Kansas City College & Bible School, he left and enlisted in the Air Force. Just prior to completing boot camp, a medical condition prevented him from continuing and he was given an honorable discharge. Ron went to work at the Nazarene World Headquarters where he met his wife, Judy and they were married on December 19th, 1969. They had their only child, their son Stephen Ronald, in July, 1973.

Ron worked for many years as a truck driver, hauling newspapers for the Kansas City Star. He then worked for several years for Wright Business School providing transportation to many students who were not otherwise able to attend college. In later years, he returned to work again for the Nazarene Headquarters, in their transportation department. This was his favorite position, where he got to work with the people of the church and get to know them as he drove them often to and from the airport for their travels. He was a great comfort to many wonderful people, as they returned home weary from their long trips. He made many wonderful connections with the people he served and he treasured them dearly.

Ron has now joined both his father and mother, William & Florence Gress, in heaven, and also his brother Donald Lee Gress and his brother & sister in-law David & Delene Gress. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and his son, Stephen.

Ron is a very loving husband and father. He has loved his wife deeply for over 55 years, and he loves his son. We will always remember his lifetime of faith in God, his kind and gentle heart, his caring nature and willingness to help those in need and how he has always loved to make people laugh.