Ronald Lee Kinning

Ronald Lee Kinning, 78, of Arvada, CO and Mesa, AZ died peacefully surrounded by family in Scottsdale, AZ on December 22, 2017. He was born October 19, 1939, in Rosalie, NE, to Arlis and Dorothy (Davis) Kinning. Ron married the love of his life, Georgia (Frey) on April 24, 1960 in Emerson, NE. They had four children, Teresa (Topeka, KS), Rick (Denver, CO), Julie (Ft. Meyers, FL), Jon (Denver, CO). He graduated from Rosalie High School. Ron joined the Marine Corps in 1959. In 1963, he started Kinning Plumbing and Heating in Pender, NE. He was very active in the construction industry and his communities. He was a licensed pilot and on the Norfolk City Council. Ron served on numerous community development and business boards including an appointment by the Governor to the Colorado State Plumbing Board. He consolidated his businesses to Colorado in 1986 and re-launched as RK Mechanical, Inc. He was honored to be ranked by the Denver Business Journal as one of Colorado's Best Places to Work which included acknowledgment of an outstanding apprentice program and on-the-job training for skilled trades. Ron was a mentor, employer and father-figure to thousands of people over the years. As a highly respected businessman, he assisted others in launching various successful businesses and careers. He retired Chairman Emeritus from RK Mechanical Inc. Ron cherished family time, camping, boating, fishing, hunting and traveling. He was an avid gardener and loved sharing stories of his first ripe tomato or bushels of cucumbers. The past several winters have been spent in Mesa, AZ. He was a member Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO and Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Georgia (Frey) Kinning; daughter, Teresa (Tony) Kinning-Pflueger; son, Rick (Marcee) Kinning; daughter, Julie Kinning; son, Jon (Aimee) Kinning; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Helen (Oetken) Frey of Pender, NE; siblings, Arlis 'Bud' (Charlene) Kinning, Diane (Glissman) Kinning, Diane (Larry) Ahlers, Norma (Boyd) Hightree, Robert 'Bob' (Karen) Kinning; and his dearly loved toy Schnauzer, Annie. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald Kinning; and his parents. DENVER, CO SERVICES - Ron's family will receive relatives and friends at Viewing/Visitation on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 5-7 pm, at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003. Viewing, Thursday, January 11, 2018, 9 AM with Funeral Services beginning at 10 am at Mile Hi Church, 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO, officiated by Pastor Ron Bock of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. PENDER, NE SERVICES - Ron's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 5-7 pm at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home, 312 McCabe St., Pender, NE. A Celebration of Ron's life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10 am at the Pender Community Center, 614 Main St., Pender, NE, officiated by Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko of Saint Mark's Lutheran Church. Private Interment, Pender, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ronald Kinning Memorial Fund c/o UMB Bank 1670 Broadway Denver, CO 80202 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted in Denver, CO to Horan & McConaty and in Pender, NE to Munderloh - Smith Funeral Homes. Please share your memories of Ronald and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.