Ronald Wayne "Ron" Koen

September 4, 1946 - December 27, 2014 Ron Koen was born in Midland, Texas, September 4, 1946 to Rayburn Truett Koen and Helen Sue Davis Koen. His family moved to Odessa when Ron was 9 years old. Then at 16, his family settled in Amarillo, Texas. Ron started band in Odessa and was a percussionist with the Permian band and orchestra. He continued his love for band in the Amarillo Tascosa High School band and orchestra. Then in 1965, he began his major at Texas Tech University. He was a member of the N.A.R.D. (National Association of Rudimental Drummers) and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity. Ron played percussion in the Texas Tech "Goin Band from Raider Land" and he played bass violin in the Texas Tech University orchestra. In 1969, Ron earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music, followed by a Masters degree in Music Education. That year, Ron launched a very successful 12-year band-directing career in Arlington at Bailey Junior High, Lamar High School and Bowie High School. His award-winning marching bands, concert bands, and jazz bands were outstanding. Changing careers, Ron left band-directing in 1981 and began a profitable career in fundraising with numerous metroplex organizations through Henco Inc. and Cherrydale Farms. Ron is preceded in death by Helen Sue Davis Koen (mother), Rayburn Truett Koen (father), Bertha Webb Cumby Davis (maternal grandmother), John Davis (maternal grandfather), Bessie Lee Blackwell Koen (paternal grandmother), and Matteson Julius Ceasar Koen (paternal grandfather). Ron is survived by Linda Rae Koen Blanchard (sister), Donald L. Blanchard (brother-in-law), Evan Paul Koen (son), Rollin David Koen (son) and his fiancee, Denise Culton, Emily Jane Stewart (daughter), Daniel Wayne Stewart (son-in-law), Harriett Snider Koen (wife of 36 years), Richard D. Snider (brother-in-law), Sandra G. Cole Snider (sister-in-law), Sammy Koen (uncle), and Judy Hall (aunt), Annabelle Saige Koen (granddaughter), Dylan Paul Koen (grandson), Ryder Wayne Stewart (grandson), Schuylar Grey Stewart (grandson), and Marcus Lee Blanchard (nephew), Scott Lewis Blanchard (nephew), Alan Lance Blanchard (nephew), Miles David Snider (nephew), and Britten Cole Snider (neice). In addition, 6 great nephews and one great niece, a plethora of cousins, and a host of former students and friends, and church family. Honorary Pall Bearers include Evan Paul Koen, Rollin David Koen, Derek Spigener, Jack Watkins, Bill Snodgrass, Bob Copeland, Troy Warren, Gerald Cumby, Randy Cumby, Tony Cumby, Bill Davis, Lonny Porter, Doyle Malone, Jim Morris, Greg Mullanax, and Doug Bourque. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in Ron's memory to Tate Springs Baptist Church music ministry, Mission Arlington, the Lottie Moon ministry or the Bowie High School Band. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233