Ron D. Schofield, 72 of Forsyth, MO died Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at Cox Medical Center, Springfield, MO. Services will be private.
Ronald Dean Schofield was born, Monday, September 22, 1947, in Portola, CA. to John Adam and Willard Gladys (Taber) Schofield. He attended school in Thornfield, MO and graduated from Gainesville High School. He attended College of the Ozarks and finished his undergraduate work in education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. Ron taught elementary school in Buffalo and later at Lutie in Theodosia. He went on and received his Masters in Administration from Drury University in Springfield. He was principal at Lutie for three years and then taught social studies in high school. Ron decided to give up teaching in public school. He attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Dallas, TX. When he returned from Dallas, he became a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in Missouri. He practiced in Carthage, MO for five years and later moved to Mountain Home, AR. Ron then became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in Arkansas.
Arkansas State University in Mountain Home opened a new program for funeral service and needed a director and instructor. His teaching experience, funeral experience and administrative experience landed him the new position. He joined the university in 1997 and led the program to become ranked fourth in the nation as an outstanding funeral science program. He has taught hundreds of students throughout the United States to become professional embalmers. In 2006, Ron and Ted Eakins purchased the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home. Ron retired from the University in 2010. He has been active through the years in various clubs and organizations. He was a board member of the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce; a member of the BPOE Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge 2597 of Forsyth; a member of the United Methodist Church and many professional organizations.
He is survived by his husband, Ted Eakins of Forsyth; MO; one daughter, Kate Quinton and husband Daryle of Richland, MO; one sister, Norma Pratt and husband, Gene of Perryville, MO; two step-sons, Joshua Eakins of Forsyth, and Alex Eakins of Springfield, MO; two step-daughters, Amanda Schwarzentraub and husband Phil of Nashville, TN, and Jessica Wagner and fiancé, Scott Dygert of Branson, MO; six grandchildren, Levi and Macie Quinton, Will and Jason Schwarzentraub, Judah Wagner, and Roman Fields, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leonard Schofield.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Ronald Dean Schofield may be made to the, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.st.jude.org. or mail to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home, Forsyth, MO.
Leave a Condolence