Posted: 07/22/09

Ronald Wesley Kohl, 58, of Helena, retired U.S. Army, passed away July 20, 2009, at a care facility in Clancy after a courageous battle against cancer.

Ron was born May 25, 1951, to Floyd W. and Doris J. (Bracken) Kohl in Helena. He graduated from Helena High School and attended classes at the University of Maryland.

Ron entered the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and was first stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, working as a medic during the Vietnam War. After the war, Ron took a break from the Army and returned home to Helena where he worked for the City of Helena Water Department. He re-enlisted into the Army six years later and had to complete basic training again, since five years had passed.

Ron then was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. He served eight years in Germany and many other locations in the U.S. and overseas including Desert Storm, working as a communications specialist. Upon his retirement from the Army, as a sergeant first class in 1995, Ron returned to Helena to be with his family.

He enjoyed reading, music, cooking, plants and yard work, and writing poetry.

Ron is preceded in death by his father, Floyd W. Kohl; and brothers, Richard and Kenneth Kohl.

He is survived by his mother, Doris J. (Bracken) Kohl; brothers, David and Curtis Kohl; and a sister, Kristie Kohl (Tony) Overstreet, all of Helena. He is also survived by a son, Kerry Kohl of Oklahoma; and a daughter, Krystal Kohl of Massachusetts; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Retz Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will be held after the burial at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2410 Belt View Dr. Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of St. Peter's or to the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter's, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. To offer condolences to Ron's family or to share a memory of Ron, please visit www.mem.com.