Melbourne D. Ring

Melbourne D. Ring, 86, of Crook, Colo., passed away on Friday, March 5, 2010, at his home.

Mel was born on June 3, 1923, in Smith Center, Kan., to William and Wilma (Willie Ray Brown) Ring. He graduated from the eighth-grade country school at Womer, Kan., attended high school as a freshman in Smith Center, and then completed his sophomore and junior years in Lebanon, Kan. When his family moved to Colorado he continued his education and graduated from Sedgwick High School. Following graduation he moved to California and worked in a factory, building 50 caliber machine guns for the war. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943, flying 50 missions as a belly gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress with missions over some of the most fortified targets in Germany, Poland and Yugoslavia. He married Angela Marie Stang on Nov. 28, 1947, in Julesburg, Colo. They lived on the Ring Brothers Ranch until 1957 when they moved to Crook, Colo. He continued farming and ranching while he owned and operated Ring Oil Company. He enjoyed serving the community through Ring Oil Company from 1957 until his death. He recently told one of his sons that he enjoyed delivering the last load of fuel as much as his first load.

He was a member of the St. Peters’s Catholic Church at Crook, Crook VFW 4191, Sterling Elks Lodge, Crook voluntary fire department (serving as a member and as the fire chief), served multiply terms on the Crook town council and served as the mayor of Crook. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, all sports, farming and ranching, and spending time with family and friends. There was nothing more important to him than his family, friends, community, country and walking hand-in-hand with our Lord.

Mel is survived by his three sons, Ronald Ring and wife Marteena of Crook, Terry Ring and wife Glenda of Crook, and Bradley Ring and wife Karleen of Brighton, Colo.; brother, Lyle Ring and wife Ruth; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Angela; his parents; a brother, Charles; and two grandchildren, Melisa and Brian.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the World War II Honor Flight, Hospice of the Plains, Cancer Care Services or a charity of your choice.

Visitation and viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Chaney-Reager Funeral Home in Sterling, Colo. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Sterling with Father Joseph Tran officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.