Ronald Edward Konklin

July 25, 1950 – September 20, 2020

Ronald Edward Konklin was born on July 25, 1950 in Fresno. He lived in Mariposa and Visalia, but most of his youth was spent in Coarsegold. He finished eighth grade at Coarsegold Elementary School in 1965 then, after four long years of bus rides from Coarsegold to Tollhouse, he graduated Sierra High School in 1969. Ron enlisted in the Navy in 1971 and served aboard the LST York County, LSD Monticello, and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1973.

In 1974, following his navel service, Ron went to work for the Yosemite Park and Curry Company. He spent the next 34 years working for Curry Company and the subsequent Yosemite Park concessionaires. His jobs included Assistant Security Supervisor, Truck Driver and Bus Driver. During these years, he lived in Mariposa, Clovis and Yosemite Valley.

Ron retired to Sonora in 2008, attended classes at Columbia College, and volunteered at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. He moved to the CalVet Veterans Home in Fresno in 2018 where he died after a lengthy illness on September 26, 2020.

Ron was a compassionate and giving man, always ready to lend a helping hand. He was never about his ego and lived a humble life. He loved to travel by train rides and share pictures of his adventures with family and friends.

Ron is survived by his brother Craig and his wife Barbara, niece Genevieve of Modesto, nephews Matthew of Chico and Nicholas of Sonora.

Services are pending due to COVID restrictions.

Donations may be made to Railtown 1897 SHP, PO Box 1250, Jamestown, CA 95327