Ronald "Ron" Dean Cauthon of Clinton passed away after a month long illness at age 53 on March 3. He will be remembered as a loving father, a loyal friend and the king of back roading. He was always the first to crank up the music and let the dust fly. Happiest when he had a beer in his hand and was surrounded by his family and friends, Ron could fill a room with his sense of humor. If you are wondering if you may have ever met him, you didn't — because you WOULD remember. His laugh was contagious and his personality was magnetic. He had a way of making the people he was with feel like the most important in the world.
Born March 11, 1966 to Les and Linda Cauthon, Ron was the second, and--per him--cutest, of two children. He spent his childhood terrorizing Clinton first on bicycles and later on dirt bikes with his brother and friends. Cars, music, parties and going to the lake afforded him the kind of adolescence we all wish we had. And with all of his antics and adventuring, we are really glad he survived to tell about it.
Growing up, he worked alongside his father, Les, and brother, Rick, at various family gas and service stations. Most recently, he managed and co-owned Les's Auto Center. After selling the business in 2009, Ron worked at Sears as a salesman.
He was preceded in death by his father, Les Cauthon.
He leaves behind his mother, Linda; three children: Sarah Smidt and husband, Dane, of Warrensburg, MO, Nic Cauthon and wife, Raegan, of Clinton, MO and Clayton Cauthon and wife, Abby, of Leeton, MO; brother, Rick Cauthon of Olathe, KS; and 5 grandchildren: Jessica, Jason and Jack of Warrensburg, MO; Ezra and Skyli of Warrensburg, MO.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
