04/03/2025
Thinking of Kay, Angi and family during this difficult time! Please keep them in your prayers.
Ronald Ray Hensley of Coffeyville, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2025, at the age of 84. Born June 18, 1940, to Bill and Lela Hensley, Ron dedicated his life to all things motorcycles; whether it was buying, selling, riding, racing, or fixing them, he embraced the freedom and camaraderie that the open road offered. His infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge brought joy to friends and fellow riders alike, leaving a legacy of adventure that will be cherished by all who knew him.
Though many of his greatest adventures were on two wheels, some of his most prized moments were at home with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who he loved immensely. Ron and Kay hosted countless holiday gatherings where they both enjoyed feeding and spoiling their family.
A Coffeyville native, Ron graduated Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1958 before marrying Jan (Griffin) Juel in 1959. He graduated Coffeyville Community College in 1960 before then serving in the National Guard. Together, Ron and Jan raised three sons. The couple divorced in 1981, and Ron married Kay Andres on June 27, 1990. Ron and Kay made their home in Coffeyville where they lived together until his passing.
Ron worked for Western Southern Life Insurance, Pepsi Bottling Plant, and the Coffeyville Fire Department before owning Hensley Hodaka and Southeast Suzuki. He later worked for Frito Lay, Coca-Cola, and Nowata Printing, where he retired in June of 2002. And while he spoke well of his many endeavors, Ron was most proud of his namesake, Hensley Hodaka (later Southeast Suzuki), a motorcycle dealership he owned from 1970 until 1982.
In 1995 Ron created and organized the S.E.K. Bikers Toy Run, an event that sees as many as 130 bikers participate in a given year. The gathering, now in its 29th year, asks participating bikers to donate Christmas gifts to Montgomery County children who might otherwise go without.
Ron’s love of motorcycles began in west Coffeyville where, as a teenager, he fell in love with a Cushman motorcycle. He later purchased and raced a Pirelli before then expanding his collection and eventually turning his passion into a career. An adventurer by nature, Ron never needed a map and was known to chart his route based solely on landmarks, especially those that served good food. Tell Ron where you were headed and he could suggest where to stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along the way.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings, Wilma Henry, Lilbern (Sparky), J.E., Dean, JoAnn Sumner, and Robert, and by his daughter-in-law, Paula (Sherwood) Hensley.
He is survived by his children, Rick (Amy), Gary, Terry (Maria), Angi (Barry) Price, and Jason (Melissa) Blex, as well as fifteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at Cedar Bluff Campgrounds in Coffeyville on April 18 at 11am. Donations in Ron’s honor can be made to the S.E.K. Bikers 30th annual Toy Run (Salvation Army).
Following Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas.
To leave a condolence for the family online, visit Ron's memorial page at www.dwbfh.com.
