Ronald Ray Shemwell
Funeral services for Ronald Ray Shemwell, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2023, at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Shemwell passed away at 1:40 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Ronald, the son of the late Clyde Shemwell and Trulla Hudson, was born on December 17, 1935, in Success, Arkansas. On January 23, 1959, he was married at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Peggy Jean Rodgers, who preceded him in death on July 9, 2012. Mr. Shemwell received his education from the Neelyville Public Schools, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri. He was retired from the Missouri Public School system where he was a respected teacher, coach, and administrator for 30 years. His first varsity coaching job was at the age of 20 with Neelyville High School. Mr. Shemwell coached basketball, baseball, and girls basketball for the West Plains Zizzers. Upon his retirement from West Plains R-7 he was also the Athletic Director and Transportation Director. He was also retired from a second career as an insurance agent and he was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Shemwell was active in many organizations throughout his life including, the Grizzly Booster Club, Rotary Club, and the Masons. He loved basketball, baseball, fishing, and quail hunting, but most of all he loved his family and friends. Nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mr. Shemwell was a member of First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Lee and husband, Monte, Bella Vista, Arkansas; son, Steven Shemwell and wife, Katie, Festus, Missouri; four grandchildren, Ryan Lee and wife, Lindsay, Centerton, Arkansas, Katie Bellamy and husband, Brett, Cave Springs, Arkansas, Anna Lee, Olathe, Kansas, Naomi Shemwell, Festus, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Maddox Lee, Titus Lee, August Lee, Silas Lee, Brooks Bellamy, and Elsie Bellamy; One sister, Shirley Virdon, Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents and wife preceded him in death.
Mr. Shemwell will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to MSU Grizzly Athletics and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
