Rondal W. Metheny

Rondal W. Metheny

1940 – 2017

Ron Metheny was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma on April 19, 1940 to Luther Haywood Metheny and Della Lena (Ivie) Metheny and was raised in Anadarko, OK. Ron was the youngest of seven children born of that marriage: Verna Mae, Emory Paul, Madeline Marie, Imogene Pearl, Delbert Joe, Albert Price and Rondal Wilfred.

Always industrious, Ron began working at the age of 7, after his father’s death, at Forbes Grocery in Anadarko. At the age of 14, Ron joined the Oklahoma National Guard as a way to supplement the family income. Ron graduated from Anadarko High School in 1959 and shortly thereafter, moved to Edmond, OK to attend Central State University (now UCO). While at CSU Ron was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Settling down in Edmond, Ron bought a home and started a small shoe repair business which was located in downtown Edmond on Broadway. His business prospered and Ron busied himself with his Guard duty, hunting, and bowling. For a time in the late 1960s, Ron toured as a professional bowler.

A few doors down from Ron’s Shoe Shop was Citizens National bank where, in 1971, a young graduate of Oklahoma Christian College, Jean Hardin, worked as the secretary to the officers of the bank. Ron met Jean one day as he made his weekly deposit at the bank. Despite her annoyance that he helped himself to the cashew nuts she kept on her desk, she agreed to go on a date with Ron. They were engaged within a month after their first date and married within three months.

Ron would say that his wedding day to Jean in December of 1971 was the happiest day of his life. He would also say that the other happiest days of his life were the days when his four children were born and the day he gave his life to Christ in baptism. Ron and Jean and their children attended the Wilshire Church of Christ in Oklahoma City and later the Edmond Church of Christ in Edmond. Ron loved the ministry for the deaf at the Edmond Church, having grown up with deaf parents and being a fluent signer. Ron also held morning prayer meetings and Bible studies at his shoe shop. It was important to Ron that everyone who came into his shop left with a smile. His personal ministry was to try to brighten everyone’s day. It was rare for a customer to leave his shoe shop without being told that he loved them, that Jesus loved them, or to “Drag Those Heels.”

Ron was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) in 2005. He passed away from complications of that disease. Ron fought his battle with cancer with great courage and with a determination to use his situation to help other people. He participated in any drug study that was available to him as a way to help science find a cure for others if not for himself. He was loved by all of the clinic and hospital staff who came in contact with him because he made them smile and laugh. They called him “Ornery” and “Trouble” and they looked forward to seeing him and taking care of him.

Ron is predeceased by his father and mother, siblings Emory, Verna, Madeline and Imogene. Ron is survived by his wife Jean, his son Ron and grandchildren Kylee and Robert, his daughters Elizabeth and Kathryn, his son Beau and daughter-in-law Rachelle and grandson Mason; his brother and sister-in-law Delbert and Norma Metheny of Ballwin, MO; brother and sister-in-law Albert and Lula Metheny of Payette, Idaho; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ron proudly served his state and his country as a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, 45^th Infantry Division and Corps of Engineers for 35 years and 10 months, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1990. Ron raised and showed several breeds of chickens – a love which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Ron also became an avid apiarist (bee keeper) in later life. Ron would happily plant a pecan tree in any open spot of ground so that someday he might enjoy harvesting the pecans to give as gifts to friends and family. Ron loved to sing – sometimes getting carried away at work amidst the roar of his machinery and being startled by a customer arriving at his shoe shop. Ron is remembered as a Christian, a soldier, a craftsman, a perfectionist, a collector of all things, an animal lover, an ornery guy, a hard worker, a loving husband and father and PaPa, and most of all, a humble man. His family will remember his daily reminders to “be a part of the family,” “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” “be a hand,” “make somebody’s day,” “hurry, don’t miss the bus,” and “I love you too much in the whole wide world forever and ever, Amen.”

The funeral will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Edmond Church of Christ. Graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK. Viewing will be from Noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday with the family greeting friends from 2-4 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to In Search of the Lord’s Way at PO Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083.