Ronald Coash

Ronald "Ron" Coash, 76, died Wednesday May 1 1, 2016 at his Clay Center home after battling recurrent bouts of lymphoma. Ron was born May 15, 1939 in Clifton, Kansas, to Russell and Hazel (Scouten)Coash. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1958, and attended Emporia State College for two years. He then served in the US Army from 1961 to 1964, serving in the Signal Corp in France during the Cuban Crisis. He also served one year at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and gave the signals for the 21-gun salute at President John Kennedy's burial service. He then completed his college education at Fort Hays State College and Kansas State University where he graduated in 1972 with a technical engineering degree. He also had completed two years in electrical engineering. Ron worked for various companies in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado mostly as a technical engineer in center-pivot irrigation and in the electronics industries. He was especially proud of having obtained ten US patents in irrigation system controls and in security systems without having a regular engineering degree. He considered himself as an inventor. After his retirement he spent years researching and writing a book about his father's World War I experiences as a Navy Aviator. His father was awarded the Navy Cross for bombing a German submarine from the air. The book, "My Navy Cross — Something I'm Not Proud Of" has been published and is available on Amazon. Ron was a member of American Legion Post 17 in Manhattan, and the Knights of Columbus in Clay Center. Ron always cherished the times he could spend with his grandchildren, and said that the one big regret he had about his illness was that he would not be able to see them grow up. Ron was married to Linda (Dieker) Coash on June 26, 1965, in Hanover, Kansas. She survives of the home. Also surviving are two sons Russell Coash and wife Christine of Geneva, Nebraska, and Christopher Coash and wife Mitzi, of Garden City Kansas, and one daughter Jennifer Coash Russell and husband Chris of Cheyenne, Wyoming, four grandchildren Zachary Coash of Geneva, NE, and Aubrey, Henry, and Olivia Coash of Garden City Kansas. Other survivors include three brothers John Coash and wife Lois of Albuquerque New Mexico, David Coash and wife Reva of Clyde Kansas, and Duane Coash and wife Alberta of Goodland, Kansas, two sisters Dorothy Coash Gardner of Atchison, Kansas and Frances Coash Kantack and husband Benjamin of Sioux Falls South Dakota, and sister-in-law Donna Coash of Clifton, Kansas plus many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents Russell and Hazel Coash, two brothers Melvin Coash and wife Maureen, and Gene Coash. Also preceding him in death are two nephews Mike Coash and Jack Coash and niece Monica Coash. A funeral Mass will be held Monday May 16, 10:00am at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Clay Center with burial at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Manhattan. Visitation will be held Sunday May 15, 2-4pm with the Rosary being recited at 4pm at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral home in Clay Center. Memorial donations to the Ronald Coash memorial fund to be designated later.