Kansas City, MO: Ronald D. Wilkinson, age 85, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by hard work, independence, and a quiet appreciation for the things he loved.
Ron was born on May 31, 1940, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Leola M. Conley and John D. Wilkinson. He spent his early years in Bethany, Missouri, before moving to Eldorado Springs at the age of 16, where he graduated from high school in 1958.
Not long after graduation, he set out to build a life of his own. In 1958, he married his first wife and moved to Monte Vista, Colorado, where he worked at Phillips 66 service stations. It was there that his lifelong love of cars began, something those closest to him would see reflected throughout his life. Those early years were filled with movement, grit, and determination. He worked at Eagle-Picher Company assembling missile and weather batteries for the government and spent seasons traveling the wheat harvest across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, driving trucks and combines.
Life on the road wasn’t always easy. It meant long days, hard work, and simple living, staying in motels when he could and, at times, working for room and board, even leaning out chicken houses in western Kansas. But those experiences shaped who he was: a man who valued hard work, self-reliance, and doing what needed to be done.
In 1959, he returned to Kansas City, where he again worked at Phillips 66 before taking a position at Wallace Manufacturing Company. During this time, he welcomed his daughters, Nicki and Kelly.
In 1963, Ronald began his career with Colgate-Palmolive Company, where he would spend the next 29 years. He took pride in his work, eventually retiring at the age of 52. Retirement didn’t slow him down, it simply gave him more time to enjoy the things he loved.
In 1979, he welcomed his son, Zerek, with his third wife. In 1981, he married Carmen Wilkinson, and together they shared 44 years, building a home, sharing routines, and enjoying the years they had together.
Ron found happiness in the simple things. He had a deep appreciation for antiques and classic cars. He bowled weekly in a league and looked forward to making the drive to the bowling alley in his 1951 Ford and 1950 Chevrolet antique cars. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting, and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Wilkinson.
He is survived by his wife, Carmen Wilkinson; his children, Nicki Meeks, Kelly Stock, and Zerek (Angie) Wilkinson; his step-son, John Gutierrez; his half-brother, John Wilkinson; his grandchildren, Thomas Wilkinson, Hailey Wilkinson, Alesha Burgess, Ahron Neil, Jacob Meeks, Natalie Rule, Richelle Routh, Anthony Gutierrez, Phillip Gutierrez, and Josh Gutierrez; and many great-grandchildren.
We will remember him for his strength, his independence, and the way he lived life on his own terms. His memory will continue to live on in all of us who knew and loved
him.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 27 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Miriam Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
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