Ronald James almost didn’t make it into this world. His parents, James Vesta (pronounce Vesteee) and Pauline Behrendt Overstreet, went from their home in Keyes, OK, to Shattuck, OK, so Pauline could have surgery to remove a tumor. The doctor there confirmed instead thatthey were pregnant, and the baby was born on December 26, 1946, Ron sometimes referred to himself as the Boomer Tumor. Ron was born in Guymon, OK, and proudly grew up in Keyes, OK. This family that began in the epi-center of and during the Dust Bowl, raised wheat and milo on sandy soil, along with an extensive garden, which his family carefully preserved. He was well-versed as a pig and cattle farmer and always had a dog around and one time a goose named Gus that chased cars. At a young age, he was Uncle Ronnie to his nieces and nephews near his age. A few of those nieces and nephews might even recall the “smart pills,” he offered them while playing out in the yard where rabbits had been. Younger by 10 years than his sister, and 20 years than his oldest brother, Ron worked hard to help his family on the farm. He was a dedicated student athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball. His was a good student and a member of the Keyes Jr. and Sr. 4-H Clubs. 

He held many offices and earned recognition State 4-H Record Book Winner and State 4-H Vice President and ultimately, he was 4-H Key Award Winner. His awards included trips to Chicago and Washington, D.C. The country boy was on the road meeting people and making many friends. Upon graduation from Keyes High School in 1965, Ron continued his education at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK, earning his BS in Business Administration in 1969. His experience at OPSU culminated with two big wins - one as the Student Government Association President, won after a clever photo campaign in a long, formal dress, a wig, and long gloves, vowing to represent the whole student body, and the second was winning the heart of co-ed, Peggy Ukens.

Ron and Peggy were married in Hooker, OK, on Saturday, August 23, 1969, and took a 1 day honeymoon to Raton, NM. This first short trip was an indicator of Ron’s future family “vacations,” telling he took the family on a 2 week vacation in one day. The following Monday, Ron took his US Army physical as a top draftee in his county for the Vietnam War. Ron joined the OSU ROTC, pursued a Masters degree in Business Education with Accounting Emphasis while Peggy completed her BS. Upon graduation, Ron accepted a position at Panhandle State University, where Ron enjoyed teaching and serving with other faculty on the Faculty Senate. That following summer took them to Havre de Grace, MD, for active duty training for Ron in the US Army Reserves. They returned to Oklahoma and Ron started a new position at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK, as a faculty member. Ron enjoyed his position as a faculty member, but quickly saw greater financial opportunities in the private sector, so in 1973, he accepted a position with one of the Big 8 accounting firms - Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. He and Peggy moved to Amarillo, TX, and just one month after arriving, welcomed their first daughter, Michelle, to the world. In 1975, Ron went to audit Ford County Feedyard in Ford, KS, and accepted a position as assistant manager there. After a late night weighing ensilage trucks in 1977, daughter Kimberly was born in Dodge City.

 Ron bought into Boise City Feed Yard (BCFY) as the managing partner the next year and returned home to the Oklahoma Panhandle. In 1984, Michael joined the family in Boise City, giving them a Texan, a Kansan, and an Okie for children. Applying what he knew and what he loved, Ron grew the feed yard to 10,000 head and added a 2,000 head dairy and a large farm over the next 20 years. Ever the non-traditional, Ron planted wheat, milo, corn, turnips, cucumbers, canola, mung beans for Japanese investors, the new white wheat, and more. Along with farming, Ron’s gardening habit involved and benefited employees, families and the community with large gardens at the feedyard! When Ron was pulled over by the highway patrol, young son Michael suggested he simply give the highway patrolman some of their sweet corn to avoid a ticket.

Many of the employees had long tenures and became very good friends with the Overstreet family and BCFY partners and families. The employee-family holiday meals at the feed yard on the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas resulted in some wonderful memories, lifelong friendships and plenty of food! Some customers stopped by to eat before joining their own family celebrations. Ron hired students from the area, and the hardworking kids, the “Feedyard Boys” along with Sandra and Carla, Michelle, and Kimberly, are now successful, educated, hardworking adults with hilarious stories to tell about working at BCFY for Ron. More broadly, Ron engaged with local, state and regional leadership groups such as the Cimarron County Hospital Board, Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program, and Panhandle of Oklahoma Development Team. His leadership and hard work resulted in recognition such as a 1993 PSU Alumni Ambassador Hall of Fame Member, 1995 OSU Master Agronomist, and more.

Ron was always ready to donate beef or support a good cause by cooking it. From the Cimarron County Fair to the Keyes High School Alumni event, he could be found cooking burgers with other volunteers on one of his big custom made grills. Later in his career, Ron transitioned away from the feed yard and dairy to sell Case International equipment - he always preferred the red tractors! One of his favorite moments was watching the 17 red combines, from one sale, arrive by rail - it was quite a site! In 2012 Ron suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, and he worked hard with 6 weeks of hospital physical therapy to recover and be able to walk Michelle down the aisle. For additional therapy Ron accepted part-time jobs locally and applied for a grant with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry so he and Peggy could start Ron’s Garden behind their house in Boise City. In 2017, Ron and Peggy moved to Dodge City where he continued feed yard work at Coake Feeders. He enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren and put them to work in his gardens occasionally.

 He attended church at First Christian Church and grew in faith and knowledge and made more friends. He never quit cheering for the OSU Cowboys. Early in the morning of May 14, 2026, Ron’s body tired out long before his wit and wisdom; he will be missed but not forgotten.

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Dodge City with Mr. Dusty Cookson officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Thoughts and Memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.