Ronald Lester Burbridge, 90 of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the University of Kansas Health Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

Ron was born June 1, 1928 in Peru, Nebraska.  He was one of six children born to Clifford Clarence and Minnie Alice (Hawkins) Burbridge.  He grew up and attended schools in Peru and Bellevue, Nebraska, and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1947.

Ron served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.  He was a survivor of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. After his tour of duty he returned to the Bellevue area.

Ron was united in marriage to Dolores Del Read on September 24, 1949 in Bellevue.  This union was blessed with two children; Diana and Ron.  They made their home in Bellevue until 1955 when they moved to Omaha, Nebraska.  Then in 1963 they moved to Des Moines, Iowa and lived there until moving to Medicine Lodge, Kansas.  After Ron retired they moved to Emporia, Kansas in 1984.  Dolores preceded him in death in 1988.  Then in 2009, Ron moved to Russell, Kansas to be closer to his daughter.

Ron was an owner and operator of the Gilbert Motel in Des Moines, Iowa and owner and operator of the Copa Best Western Motel and the Hereford House restaurant in Medicine Lodge.  He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Russell.  He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and the Chosin Few of the Marines Corp.  He spoke at many schools and group meetings on his experiences with the Marines and the Chosin Reservoir.  He was known for his WWII Ford Jeep that he proudly showed in parades.  Later in life he learned how to Ski and made tandem bike rides across Kansas and across Iowa with his good friend Laura Johnson.  He loved music and traveling, but his great joy came from spending time with his family.

Ron’s surviving family include his daughter, Diana Morris (Terry) of Russell, Kansas; three grandchildren, Matthew Morris (Kaysie), Mark Morris (Amanda Jo) and Jon Morris (Amanda Lea); and eight great grandchildren, Camden Morris, Chase Morris, Audrie Glaser, Jake Morris, Chailyn Morris, Wyatt Morris, Jack Morris and Maggie Morris.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dolores; son Ronald Lawrence Burbridge; two brothers, Wendell Burbridge and William Burbridge; and three sisters, Eunice Naviaux, Dorothy Phillips and Louise Blower.

Celebration of Ronald’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Bible Baptist Church.  Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard.  Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 PM, Monday at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Kansas.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A Memorial has been established with Bible Baptist Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.