Ron passed away Saturday December 14, 2013 after a long, courageous battle with prostate cancer. Ron was born August 14, 1943 in Helena, Montana to Roland and Kathryn L. (Lippert) Kennaugh. In 1949, Ron (at the age of 6) and his sisters, Korene & Arleen, came under the care of the Deaconess Home for Children until 1952. He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Helena High School in 1961.
One of Ron’s first jobs was loading & driving the delivery trucks from Montana Brand Produce. As a teenager Ron developed his life long interest in automobiles. He really enjoyed rebuilding and repairing vehicles. He began working at Helena Body & Paint in 1962 and purchased the business in 1974. His commitment to, and pride of, Helena Body & Paint was soon known as his “other life”. He was dedicated to everyone that came through the door – employees, customers, business associates, or anyone who would ask for his expertise or help. You would find him most Saturdays & Sundays at the shop, always working on a project. He never hesitated to help family or friends when asked to remove a dent, paint a car, or any other expertise he could offer.
Ron married Vivian Sangray on January 19, 1963 and they later built a home. Kevin, the first of two sons, was born in 1971. Kory was born two years later. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, and yearly family camping trips to Seeley Lake. Ron & Vivian divorced in 1995.
Ron married Gail Beattie in 1999. They built a house near Mt. Helena in 2004 and moved into the home in 2005. They enjoyed traveling around the North & Southwest having many adventures along the way. Their two “fur children”, Gus & Leo, were never far from Ron’s side at home.
Ron had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing jokes with others. He was a longtime member of the Helena Optimist Club and former member of Vigilante Car Club. Ron’s generosity and kindness will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.
Ron is preceded in death by mother Kathyrn, grandparents Ernest & Norine Lippert.
Ron is survived by his wife Gail Beattie, sons Kevin Kennaugh-Poplar MT & Kory (Jennifer) Kennaugh, sisters Korene (Jerry) McGuire, Arleen (Bob) Ayres, former wife Vivian Kennaugh and in-laws, Rand Sangray, Marlene Wallis, and Sharon Redpath (long time bookkeeper at HB&P) – all of Helena , step-daughter Jennifer (Rob Shellabarger) Beattie of Sacramento, step-son Ward (Georgiana Lopez) Beattie of Tucson, AZ., numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and his very special buddies who stole his heart, Gus and Leo (his dogs).
Special thanks to Dr. Weiner, Dr. Butcher and staff of St. Peter’s Hospital for all their excellent care.
A memorial service celebrating Ron’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will be in the social center of the funeral home immediately following the memorial service. Placement of Ron’s urn will be at Forestvale Cemetery at a later date. Memorial’s in Ron’s name are suggested to the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter’s Foundation, 2475 E. Broadway Street; Helena, Montana 59601 or to the Intermountain Children’s Home, 500 S. Lamborn Street; Helena, Montana 59601.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday December 21, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Memorial Service
Saturday December 21, 2013
Social Center of the Funeral Home
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Bob Redpath says
What a grand person to have for a friend for over fifty years. He was kind to my family and shared many good outings, camping, holidays etc.
Seems like he was always there when needed to fix something ie electrical, plumbing, cars etc. My sons called him “Unk” and he will surely be missed!
Eric, Nickie & Evan Eck says
Ron was a wonderful neighbor, and you don’t often call the owner of a business set in a residential area a neighbor. He was there for you when it came to vehicle repair as well as a simple fix of a bent hinge on a cupboard. He always went by with a wave and a smile. We just had a simple car repair done in early November and I mentioned that I missed seeing the can Christmas tree in the window for Christmas 2012 – yesterday someone put Ron’s can Christmas tree in the window. Thanks Ron for being a good neighbor to us for 30 years.
Sharon Redpath says
Ron was a one of a kind. He was kind, loving and always had a smile on his face and a good word for everyone. He was a second father to my two sons for many years. I worked for him for over thirty years and got to see how hard that man worked. He always said that he would die in his boots, and he did. I have never seen anyone fight to survive as he did. Never complained and never gave up. God bless you Ron. We will all miss you so much. You were amazing! Goodbye friend and brother.
Audrey Blomquist says
Kevin, Kory and Jennifer, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Ron was a great man and a wonderful father. He was always so kind and helpful when I needed repair work on my cars. May you find comfort in the support of family and friends.
Elaine and Andie Redpath says
Auntie Viv, Kevin, Kory and Jen, We are so sorry for your loss of Unc. My memories are of Christmas’ at the Kennaugh’s and Seeley Lake. Gosh we had some great laughs. Andie remembers going to the shop with Grandma Sharon and visiting with Uncle Ron. He was always so kind. Rest in peace Uncle Ron. You left a mark on our hearts.
Michelle Van Nice says
Kory and Jennifer,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Very sorry for your loss.
Michelle Van Nice
Dennis & Darlene Abeyta says
Ron was a great person. We had our auto-body work done there for years at his Helena Body and Paint. It would be years and when I came in, he always knew my name. I was just in the shop and saw the can Christmas tree. I didn’t know he had passed and asked about Ron and was told the sad news. May you be running freely in Heaven. God Bless the family at this difficult time.
Bob & Bev Moore says
Gail and Family,
Ron was one of the “good” guys”. Always happy around family and friends, willing to go that extra mile for anyone that came along. We will all miss him, but we will hold on to those special memories.
Ja'net & Marvin Goss says
Kevin and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Please always know you are in our prayers. May God give you peace during this time and remember the special happy memories.
Dee Dee Ayres-Kirby says
I love you Uncle Ron! You will be greatly missed by many. Untill we meet again at that big, big house in the sky!! Condolences to all the families. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace and comfort from God at this time.
MIke & Mary Root says
Kennaugh Family:
We are thinking of you all in this difficult time. Ron will be forever in our memories and in our hearts. We will remember and cherise all those happy times (especially those Christmas parties). And we know that the Guardian Angels will keep him safe until we all meet again.
Pat Day says
Ron was one of the kindest men I’ve known. I honestly can’t remember a time when he wasn’t laughing or making others laugh. I was lucky to grow up in the same neighborhood as the Kennaugh family, and Ron treated all of us like his own children–always asking about what we were doing, how our familes were, because he was genuinely interested in what kids had to say. And he remained interested as we became adults. My sincere condolences to Viv, Kevin, Kory, and everyone who had the good fortune to know Ron.
STEVE GILREATH "HJELM'S" says
RON WAS NOT A COMPETITOR TO US AT HJELM’S, BUT A FRIEND WHO WOULD HELP WITH ANY PROBLEMS WE WOULD HAVE AT THE DROP OF A HAT. PLEASE KNOW THAT HE REACHED A LOT OF PEOPLE OTHER THAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
Lisa Ernst says
It was a shock to read that Ron has gone home…What a fine man, I only knew him thru his profession, for 25 years he repaired my various vehicles. He always radiated trust,honesty and thoroughness in his work. He will be missed by all who have known him, special condolences to his wife and family.
STEVE FRYE says
My heart goes out to the family, friends, and customers like myself who knew Ron. From selling him product, even my broken down van on the road near Billings around 1980 to painting a hub cap this year, no job was too big or too small. Ron always knew my name and had a smile. He was well liked and will be missed.
Cindy & Ken "Rosy" Rosenbaum says
Wow describes Ron at work where customers do come first. An honest decent nice human being. His family and friends will have many many good memories. A Helenan who will truly be missed but will be in our memory forever.
Janet & Ed Olson says
Ron was a wonderful neighbor and a dear friend, and we will miss him very much until we meet again. We loved him for his kindness, his sense of humor and willingness to help out any way he could. He fought the good fight and never complained. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gail, Korene, Jerry, and the family.
Korene McGuire says
When God blessed us with a brother, brother-in-law and uncle, great uncle and great great uncle…… he gave us the very best iove and caring and beautiful memories anyone could ever be blessed with.
There was no greater than Ron…..We’ll miss you bro but know you are playing Mexican Rummy with G.G. and warming all in heaven with your smile, humor and love. Thanks for 70 years of beautiful memories and most of all for all you were to me and our family.
LOVE YOU BRO…….
Korene McGuire says
When God blessed us with a brother, brother-in-law and uncle, great uncle and great great uncle…… he gave us the very best iove and caring and beautiful memories anyone could ever be blessed with.
There was no greater than Ron…..We’ll miss you bro but know you are playing Mexican Rummy with G.G. and warming all in heaven with your smile, humor and love. Thanks for 70 magnificent years!
LOVE YOU BRO…….