Ronald Jacques Couey

On Monday, October 14th, 2019, Ronald Jacques Couey, loving brother and son, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51. Ron was born in Ellwangen, Germany to Ron James Couey of Texas and Elfriede Couey of Germany. He practiced Clinical and Critical Care Nursing for 15 years in Kansas City, primarily at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Ron had many passions in his life. He loved music in all its forms; he played several musical instruments including violin, viola and guitar. His music taste was wide-ranging and eclectic, stretching from classical such as Wagner opera to modern rock (Metallica and Van Halen). Ron was also a well-rounded athlete. He loved competitive swimming, which is why the Leawood South Country Club and the Blue Valley swim teams became his second home. His love of sports also included varsity soccer at Blue Valley High School. His main passion however, was medicine. Ron had a brilliant mind and a kind heart, attributes that helped him excel in his nursing field. His ultimate pride and joy was his career as a clinical care nurse in the Department of Neurosurgery and as a member of the Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board at KU Med, where he was warmly regarded by colleagues and coworkers. He loved to care for and guide his patients. Ron served in the US Army, starting his medical career while stationed in Germany, where he trained as a military medic. After returning to the US, Ron was called to serve in support of Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. Ron’s love of travel was instilled in him at an early age. He was born in Germany, surrounded by extended family, with German as his first language. Eighteen months later, his brother Rodney was born, also in Germany. Sharing their formative years, while living and traveling abroad, made them the best of friends and playmates. Ron and his family then moved to Guam, where his sister Renee was born; then on to Okinawa, Japan, where he developed his lifelong love for martial arts. The family eventually returned to “the States”, calling New York, Atlanta and finally Kansas City, home. During Ron’s middle and high school years, he was a member of the Boy Scout Troop No. 10, where he attained the level of Hard Way Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, an experience of which he was immensely proud. Ron’s brilliance and curiosity transcended every aspect of his life. He enjoyed exercising his mind with intellectual pursuits, repairing cars, and remodeling projects; his research abilities, organization and analysis were legendary. Ron is survived by his mother Elfriede Couey, his brother Rodney Jason Couey, his sister Renee Joelle Couey, his brother-in-law, Fabio Augusto Rodriguez and Paula Davis, his partner of 17 years. Services will be held at the Church of the Nativity located at 3800 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209. Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 23, 2019 from 9:30 am – 10:45 am, followed immediately thereafter by the Funeral Mass at 10:45 am on Wednesday October 23, 2019. A committal service will be held on Thursday October 24, 2019 at the Leavenworth National Cemetery at 1:30 PM in Leavenworth, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (Love to the rescue @ htts://donate.lovetotherescue.org/) or Head for the Cure Foundation (help defeat brain cancer @ htts://www.headforthecure.org/) Refreshments and gathering of family and friends will follow mass at Tanner’s Bar & Grill: 10146 W 119th Street, Overland Park, Kansas Ron's favorite quote from Dante's The Divine Comedy: "Love moves the sun and the stars".

Ronald Jacques Couey

October 14, 2019