Ronald Carl Hendren

Ronald (Ron) Carl Hendren, (76) went home to be with Jesus on October 30, following several years of illness. He is now healthy and whole in the arms of his Savior. He was born in La Junta, CO, on January 20, 1944, the middle son of Robert (Bob) and Wilma (Kaplicky) Hendren.

Ron graduated from La Junta High School in 1962 and married Luanna (Sayre) Hendren. Their daughter, Ronda, was born in 1967. The family lived in La Junta until 1973, then moved to Pagosa Springs, CO. Ron returned to La Junta in 1988.

Ron was not just a Jack of All Trades, but a Master of Many. He loved learning and he applied that to every aspect of his life. He learned many different trades – electrician, plumbing and construction, which all came in handy as a part of “The Hendren Construction Company”, building with his father, brothers, uncle, and nephews. He loved woodworking, leather crafting, and beading, which he learned as a Koshare, in Scout Troop 231. Ron shared his daughter Ronda’s love of music and taught himself to play a variety of instruments – trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, guitar, banjo, and piano. He also taught himself Spanish.

Ron also loved restoring cars and motorcycles, including a 1950’s sideboard pickup. One story much enjoyed by family was when, as a young man, he wanted to rebuild a car engine and decided to do it in the bedroom he shared with brother Bill. Bill made Ron move out to the shed – his new bedroom and repair shop.

Ron went through Basic Training and was a part of the CO National Guard Army Reserves. He worked several jobs in La Junta and was a volunteer for the La Junta Police Department. Upon moving to Pagosa Springs, he worked as an auto shop foreman at Johnson Chevrolet. He became an EMT and helped the local doctors and law enforcement build the program. He was a volunteer fire fighter, and a public safety officer. When he returned to La Junta, he went to work for the Otero County Sherriff’s Department as a dispatcher and jailer and as an engineer for the La Junta Fire Department. In 1993, Ron went to work at the Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas as a Sgt., but quickly advanced through the ranks to become the Staff Training Manager. He once told Ronda, “If I had known the corrections side of law enforcement was so rewarding, I would have started it a long time ago.” Following in his father’s footsteps, along with his brother Gary, Ron became a Mason and a Shriner, where he was a part of the Oriental Band Unit and the Little T’s.

Ron was a loyal friend, a dedicated son, brother, husband, and father, an upstanding member of any community he was in, and was dearly loved by all who knew him. He will be missed terribly.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Ronda (Brian) Sheldon, grandchildren, Sarah (16) and Daniel (13), all of Spokane WA, brothers, Bill (Linda Jo) Hendren of Greeley, CO and Gary (Dianna) Hendren of La Junta. He has 4 nieces, Stacy (Ted) Collas, Lori (Eric) Anderson, Shelly (Jared) Caffey, and Arica (Brett) Lococo and one nephew, Jay Hendren, and many great nieces and nephews. He also has cousins, Susan (Tom) Whitaker and Carolyn Hendren. His beloved cat, Flower, will be joining the grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Wilma, his uncle Richard (Dick) and aunt Helen Hendren, aunt Winifred Kaplicky, aunt Geraldine Kaplicky, as well as grandparents, Carl and Lura Hendren and William and Bertha Kaplicky.

The family would like to send a special thank you to family, friends and caregivers for their support and care over the past few years, especially Trevor for taking care of Flower. Thank you to Veronica and Frank at El Azteca, for keeping Ron supplied with Special Combinations, even in his last weeks.

Ron’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes will be scattered where his parents’ ashes are, with a family service. No formal service will be held.

One of Ron’s greatest joys was to sponsor children in need of surgery at the Shriner’s Hospital. The family asks that you please consider a donation in Ron’s memory @ donate.lovetotherescue.org.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.