Ronald B. Slabaugh

Ron Slabaugh, 82, of rural Altamont, passed away peacefully in his home the morning of March 13, 2025.

Ronald Bruce "Ron" Slabaugh was born on August 25, 1942, to Garold Lloyd Slabaugh and Gladys Estella (Swift) Slabaugh in Emporia, Kansas. He grew up on the Z-Bar Ranch and attended school in Strong City, Kansas.

After graduating from high school, Ron worked as a Cowboy for the Z-Bar Ranch, when he was drafted into the United State Military at the age of 21.  Ron married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Carol "Ginger" Park in Belton, Texas, where Ron was stationed at Fort Hood and shortly after, served 13 months in Korea.  Ron transitioned from active duty and joined the Army Reserves and returned to ranching at the Z-Bar.  He was called back to active duty during the Vietnam War for one year and later served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield.  Ron made the honorable decision to claim the military as his career for 38 years.

In 1972, Ron and his wife, Ginger, settled in Altamont where they have been active members of this community for the past 53 years.  Anyone who knew Ron would say that he was kind, compassionate, and would give his shirt off his back to a stranger.  He was also known to have a little ornery streak about him.

As a committed Christian, Ron was one of the founding members of the Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont.  He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and especially travelling the country with his wife and horse trail-riding friends.  His favorite days were spent with his wife, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Ron is survived by:

His wife – Ginger Slabaugh of Altamont, Kansas

One daughter – Kristi Holbert and her husband, Marvis, of Joplin, Missouri

One son – Justin Slabaugh of Altamont, Kansas

Six grandchildren – Kaylee Guenther and her husband, Kyle; Kinsey Essary and her husband, Tommy; Demitri Buxton; Kyran Buxton; Kolton Buxton and his wife, Katie; and Kamri Sexton

Six great-grandchildren – Liam, Lane, Avalynn, Kodi, Bailynn, and Ryatt

One uncle – Elmer Swift

One aunt – Addie Deweese

Several cousins, nieces, and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Garold "Roy" Slabaugh.

The Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Western Way Cowboy Church.  Memorials are suggested to Western Way Cowboy Church or Wounded Warriors.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.