Ron Tate

Ronald G. Tate, 84, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on June 10 with family by his side.

Ron was born to Max and Sylvia Keller Tate on Aug. 14, 1936, in Guion, Ark. He graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1954. He was the first basketball player in BSHS history to score over 1,000 points, achieving this in just three seasons. His school records for points per game, points per season and total high school career points stood for 24 years, until the 3-point shot was instituted. Ron went on to play basketball for Washburn University. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

A leader in his community, Ron served on the DeSoto School District board of directors from 1964-1977. He was a positive influence on many young athletes, including his son Scott, coaching basketball, baseball, football and soccer teams for many years.

Ron had a 32-year career in management at Western Electric/AT&T in Merriam, Kan., retiring in 1989. After retirement, he moved with his wife Janice to Glen Haven, Colo., where he created beautiful stained glass, refinished and sold antiques, played countless rounds of golf and hiked many miles through the mountains he loved. He served as a part-time postmaster in Drake, Colo., and as a volunteer ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park. He loved sharing the beauty of Colorado with his children and grandchildren.

In 2002 Ron and Janice moved to Hot Springs Village, Ark., where he continued his hobbies and enjoyed living on the golf course. They returned to the Kansas City area in 2013.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Janice Tate; daughter Kimi Gingrich (Jack), Piper, Kan.; son Scott Tate (Cheryl) of Lake City, Colo.; stepdaughters Sherlyn Manson (Bill), Lake Quivira, Kan., and Michelle Perich (Forrest), Tonganoxie, Kan.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Mon., June 14, 5-6:30 pm at Johnson County Memorial Gardens Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Tallgrass Creek Resident Care Fund.