Ronald Jerrett Jelks, age 70, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away, Sunday, January 26, 2025 at his home.
Ron was born to Mary and J.W. Jelks in Osceola, MO and spent his childhood surrounded by his favorite things-the woods, the sky, the lake, and the stars. He obtained his Eagle Scout with BSA Troop 350 of Osceola in 1970. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1972, and went on to get his degree in wildlife conservation from Southwest Missouri State in 1976. He made lifelong friends during his time at SMSU through the Pershing Riflemen and ROTC teams. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and served two years of active duty in Korea and Fort Carson, CO. He served faithfully in the Army Reserves following active service and obtained the rank of Lt. Col (R) upon retirement from the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion in Belton, MO. He served in the Gulf War through Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort. He was mayor of a Kurdish refugee camp near Zakhu, Iraq, where he oversaw and protected 26,000 Kurdish civilians displaced during the conflict. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his outstanding service in the Gulf from 1990-1991. He worked many years as a civilian at North American Safety Valve and Johnson Controls up until his retirement in 2021.
He loved the time he spent as a Scout Leader for BSA Troop 370 of Kansas City, MO. He served from 1997-2008 and built a lasting legacy of leadership and community service with a very special group of young men, including his beloved son, Robert. He may have looked pretty serious on the outside, but he was warm and kind on the inside-children and animals always found him and usually planted themselves on one of his knees. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, woodcarving, telling stories, watching every second of the Chiefs games, and being a remarkable dad and grandpa-lovingly named Shaddy by his grandsons. He was a true Renaissance man. He could do, or at least convince you he could do anything. And he always, without fail, showed up for his people. Always. His character and legacy live on in his family.
Survived by his wife of 47 years, Robbie, daughter Amber and son-in-law Matt Warren, grandsons Christopher and Jack Warren of Norman, OK, daughter Megan and son-in-law Adam Hays of Boulder City, NV, grandsons Austin and Brandon Hays of Grain Valley, MO, grand-dog Arnie, son Robert Jelks of Kansas City, MO, sister Geraldine Hicks of Warsaw, MO, brother Junior Jelks of Osceola, MO, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held January 31, 2025 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Pastor Mike Banks officiating. Special music included “Time/The Great Gig In the Sky, I’ll Fly Away, Simple Man and Until We Meet Again.” Inurnment in Bear Creek Cemetery, Osceola, MO. Military honors were under the direction of the VFW Post #1894 and the US Army.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
