Ronald Lounsbery, 76, of Centerville, SD passed away at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Viborg, SD on December 20, 2017. Visitation with the family will be 4-6PM Thursday, Dec. 28th at Scandia's fellowship hall with a prayer service at 6PM. A service of remembrance will be held 11AM Friday, Dec. 29th at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice, family's choice of charities or do a kind deed for someone.

Ronald Charles Lounsbery was born on November 3, 1941 to parents, Eldon and Katie Lounsbery. Ron grew up on a farm northeast of Centerville, SD.  He attended Rose Cottage and Centerville High School, graduating in May of 1959.  He was active in sports, FFA and 4-H during these school years. He attended Southern State Teacher's College in Springfield, SD 1959-1963.  While at Southern he was on the football and track teams.  He also served as student manager for the basketball team.  He was Co-captain of the football team his senior year and named to Who's Who among college graduates.  He earned a BS Degree in Secondary Education.  He obtained a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Northern State University in 1968.

Ron married his high school sweetheart, Jean Knutson, on December 30, 1961.  They were blessed with three children, Jeff, Shari and Chris.

Over his 38 years of teaching and coaching in South Dakota schools, he positively impacted the lives of many students in Tulare, Custer, and Centerville. Ron taught social studies, physical education, and driver's education classes at the Centerville School for thirty–two years. He was named South Dakota DAR Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1984. Outside the classroom, he was inspirational as an Athletic Director and coach. He was honored as the South Dakota Track Coach of the Year (1976), the same year Centrville's track team won the State B Track meet. Under his coaching realm the Centerville track teams were awarded runner up trophies in 1975 and 1988.  His leadership, dedication, and success as a track and field coach is honored each year at the Annual Ron Lounsbery Earlybird Track Meet.

Within the community Ron actively contributed to Scandia Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, member of the church council, attended prayer breakfast and other Bible study groups. He coached the Centerville Legion and Teener baseball teams for several years.  He supported youth as a 4-H leader in Turner County for ten years and was recognized as a friend of 4-H in Lincoln County. In later years, He spent many Sunday afternoons volunteering at the Sertoma Butterfly House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Ron has always loved the farm and helped his dad on the family farm.  After his father's death in 1980 Ron took on the responsibility of farming and continued to teach and coach.  When he retired from teaching in 2001 he was able to concentrate only on his farm work.  Ron loved his Hereford cattle and has been a Hereford cattle breeder for over 50 years He raised Duroc and Hampshire pigs for several years. He has always had a love for horses and raised and broke many to ride.  His dog pals have spent many good times with him.  He liked the farm… looking after the animals….. watching the crops grow…… listening to the birds sing and the tractor doing the work of the day…. the quiet times and short naps.  He also liked old western movies, cowboy music, The Statler Brothers, ice-cream, chocolate, Coke, the and the Cleveland Indians.  Ron spent many hours giving his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends horse rides, tractor rides, and hay rides on their many visits to the farm.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Jean (married 55 yrs.), daughter, Shari Duminy(Al) sons, Jeff (Amber), Chris (Monica) five grandchildren, sister, Rita Moses.  brothers-in-law; Dean Knutson, Jim (Roxann) Knutson.  nieces, nephews, many family members and friends. His parents preceded him in death.