LAGRANGE – Funeral services for Ronald Charles “Ron” Halstead, 84, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1930 Cheyenne Street, Douglas with Bishop Shawn Wilde presiding. Inurnment will be in the Bear Creek Pioneer Cemetery near LaGrange.
Ron Halstead departed while sleeping Saturday, August 3, 2024, at his home near Douglas.
Ron was born Monday, July 8, 1940, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska the son of Charles Wileder and Dorothy Marie (Fogle) Halstead.
Besides residing in Laramie while attending the University of Wyoming, he also resided for a short time in Cheyenne prior to moving to Bayard, Nebraska followed by several years spent in Morrill before moving to Douglas in 1972.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Charles, on May 17, 1975; mother, Dorothy, on March 20, 1992; and brother, Gary Allen Halstead, on June 26, 2013.
Ron attended Torrington High School, Class of 1958, Eastern Wyoming College graduating in 1960, University of Wyoming graduating in 1962, and obtained his master’s in education, school administration, from Chadron State College.
Ron and Elaine Parsons, from LaGrange married in Cheyenne on June 25, 1960. They were blessed with and survived by three children, Ace Halstead of Douglas, Candace “Candy” (Tharen) Jorgenson of Columbia, Missouri, and Amy Halstead of Douglas.
Ron is also survived by five grandchildren, Amanda “Mandy Jorgenson” (Josh) Fabus of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Courtney (Jorgenson) (Mary Beth) Bernardin of Columbia, Travis Jorgenson of Denver, Colorado, Chandler Halstead of Douglas, and Garrett (Maddie) Halstead of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and three great granddaughters, Matylda Fabus, Amelie Fabus, and Kate Halstead.
In younger life, Ron very much enjoyed outdoor life including hunting and fishing. He also very much enjoyed art as was his collegiate Minor, among his favorite artists were Frederick Remington, Vivi Crandall, Bev Doolittle, and Tim Cox.
Ron enjoyed being a member of the Jaycees as well as the Moose Lodge. Ron and Elaine were avid fans of the Douglas Bearcats and for many years, rarely missed a ballgame, before and after their own kids were playing, home games and on the road.
Ron was the elementary school principal in both Bayard and Morrill, at recess, he was often found out on the playground with the kids, punting the football nearly as high as the clouds, for groups of kids to compete catching the ball. Once in Douglas, he wore several hats for the Converse County School District #1, including Assistant Superintendent, Rural School Coordinator, and Curriculum Director. He was active in developing budget, lobbying for, and assured various bond issues passed which led to new school district buildings during increased school populations, included East Elementary and Douglas Rec Center.
Ron departed the education system and enjoyed many years in the car and truck sales business. Working for Dean Gulley Motors, which became Douglas Motors. He very much enjoyed the social aspects of this work, often including travel throughout the western United States. Due to his earned reputation for fairness and honesty, Ron enjoyed many loyal repeat customers for many years and decades.
Ron enjoyed exploring the wilds of Wyoming including much time and many weekends spent with family on Laramie Peak.
Ron has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and experienced the growth of Douglas population and number of church members. During these years, services were held in various locations from members’ homes to the basements of the Masonic Lodge and of a local dentist’s office, school cafeteria and classrooms and ultimately, construction of a new church building, on Cheyenne Street. Ron held and fulfilled varied callings within the bishopric. Ron could be heard talking in personal prayer with his Savior and Father until the very end of his life.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jack Stewart, Marlin Anderson, Kent Erickson, Travis Jorgenson, Chandler Halstead, and Garrett Halstead.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Douglas Moose Lodge #602, P.O. Box 168, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
