Ronald "Ron" Babb

Ronald Earl Babb went to be with the Lord on February 10, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center.

Ron was born on November 3, 1942, in Hays, Kansas to Earl and Madalyn Babb. He grew up in Russell, Kansas and lived with his grandparents, Lyle and Vera Gillman while his mother went to work in Wichita. In 1954, his mother married Delmar Mason. Ron graduated from Russell High School in 1960, and attended Ft. Hays State from 1960 to 1963. Ron served in the US Navy from 1963 to 1967, where he was a Corpsman stationed in San Diego, California and Williamsburg, Virginia. While in Williamsburg, he went to Optician School. In 1963, he married Judy Richardson. The couple was blessed with twins, Ken and Kevin in 1965 and Kerri in 1968. Following the Navy, the family moved back to Kansas and Ron worked for Duffens Optical.

In 1971, he moved to Larned, Kansas where he owned and operated Richardson Welding Supply. He joined the Fire Dept. and began his EMS career where he touched and saved countless lives. In 1979, Ron was the Reno County EMS Supervisor and taught paramedics at Hutchinson Community Jr. College. By 1983, he was working for Collins Industries. Ron married the love of his life, Jeri Echelberger in September of 1985. They were excited to adopt their daughter Ashly on April 17, 1987. The family moved to Des Moines in 1991, when Ron was transferred for a new territory with Wheeled Coach Industries. He eventually retired from Praxair.

Ron loved the water and enjoyed spending time at their lake house on Table Rock Lake with his family. He and Jeri were known for bringing Christmas joy as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ron enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing with his dog Domino and bird watching, he especially loved cardinals.

Ron was survived by his wife of 39 years, Jeri; children, Kenneth (Dawn) Babb, Kevin (Angela) Babb and Ashly Babb; grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Jesse) Olsen, Nicole Holub, Bryan (Angela) Babb, Allison (James) Rinkert and Samantha (Eli) Kozloski; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Emma, Emmett, Audrey and Mason; brother, Curt Mason; mother of his children, Judith (Steve) Seltzer; and a host of extended family and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Madalyn and Delmar Mason; and his beloved daughter, Kerri Babb.

The family will greet friends Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Forever Home Dog Rescue of Iowa in loving memory of Ron.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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