Final Salute

Ronald Ray Kirkland, 77, of Evansdale, died after struggling with the ravages of agent orange on Monday, December 30, 2024. He was born in Waterloo on November 18, 1947, the son of Edward and Norma Hurst Kirkland. Ron graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1965 and entered the US Navy where he was a proud Seabee. He completed two tours of Vietnam. Ron was a master plumber, retiring from plumbing in 2015. He married Jolene McNelly Smith on October 19, 1990, in Dubuque. Ron was the proud father of daughters Kerri and Kami.

Ron was a man of faith who believed in God, Family and Country. He was a proud member of AMVETS Post 49 where he served as Post Commander and with the AMVETS Riders. The Post was his second home. He was a Vietnam Veteran who continued to serve in many capacities of AMVETS at the local, district, and state levels including as District Commander for Eastern Iowa and was currently serving as AMVETS State Commander since April 2024. He was instrumental in coordinating the University of Northern Iowa ROTC activities with the AMVETS. Ron was also a loving, caring man who enjoyed being a husband, father and grandfather. He was a man’s man and was the real deal. Even through the pain of his illness, Ron always found the positive in everything and could make anyone smile. He simply was never angry. Ron was a Harley Davidson enthusiast and a lover of golf.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jolene, of Evansdale, and daughters Kerri (Brian) Buehler and their son Tommy of Waterloo and Kami Kirkland and her daughters Sofia Sanders and Olivia Stroh of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepson Kass Smith.

A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at AMVETS Post 49, 1934 Irving St. Cedar Falls, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 2 PM with Navy military honors to follow. Memorial contributions should be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.