'Mr. Volunteer,' Ron Shivers, Dies

‘Mr. Volunteer,’ Ron Shivers, dies By Kathy Hageman, reprinted from the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle If dictionaries still had photos exemplifying the definition of words, “volunteer” would have a photo of Ron Shivers. The Abilene man died Friday, Nov. 23, at Memori- al Hospital in Abilene after a battle with a cancer. Working as an auctioneer and realtor since the mid-1980s, Shivers was always busy, either working or volunteering his time to benefit various Abilene and Dickinson County organizations as well as other groups, statewide and beyond. His list of memberships and accomplishments ex- The Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus brought a message of courage, perspec- emplifies a lifetime of ser- tive, passion and preservation to Kansas Livestock Association members gath- vice. Shivers was a member ered for their annual convention and trade show in Wichita. Photo by Donna Sullivan of Talmage Lions Club, Dickinson County Sher- Look ahead by looking behind, iff’s Posse, Eastern Kan- sas Horseman’s Associ- ation and Sand Springs HolthusBy Donna Sullivan, tells great, greatKLA grandfather audience be- that we don’t even know Saddle Club. He was a Editor cause he was a white man about,” he said. “But if we 50-year member of Oakh- Mitch Holthus, the Voice serving shoulder to shoul- search, we can find it and ill-Wakefield-Clay Center of the Kansas City Chiefs, der with black soldiers at it can change our perspec- Blue Lodge and of Oakh- was the keynote speaker for a time when at the very tive.” He showed a video ill-Wakefield Order of East- the Kansas Livestock As- least it was awkward to do of a young blind man who ern Star, Scottish Rite, and sociation Convention and so, and at the worst, some came to understand the Isis Shrine Club of Salina. Trade Show, held Novem- refused to do it,” Holthus game of football – which He was a member of the ber 28-30 in Wichita. The said. After spending some he’d previously believed to Kansas Association of Re- eight-time Kansas Sports- time in a Prisoner of War be entirely too visual of a altors, National Association caster of the Year brought camp, he went back to his sport for him to ever fol- of Realtors, National Auc- a message of courage, per- Along with decades of work in the real estate and Nebraska farm. low and appreciate – by lis- tioneers Association and spective, passion and pres- auction business, Ron Shivers was involved in many “The challenge in here tening to the play-by-play Kansas Auctioneers Associ- ervation to the large audi- organizations and volunteer activities. for you, in your families, Holthus provided. “All of ation. He was inducted into ence of cattle producers. “I Photo courtesy of the Shivers family communities and opera- the sudden, as I sat there the Kansas Auctioneer Hall love this state, I love this tions is to look back. Keep thinking about the next Manchester community,” Free Fair Board Secretary industry, and I love KLA,” of Fame in 2005. He was Jackson said. “He was just Jacque Karl laughed while digging until you find it, day’s game, my perspec- a member of Abilene Elks he said. Describing what he then perpetuate it as we tive changed completely,” a good guy, always willing recalling some of the times called a flashpoint, a criti- Lodge for 50 years and a to help anybody.” she and her late husband, move forward.” the broadcaster reflected. member of the Chamber of cal time for both the state Moving forward in these “I was thinking about how Lifelong friend Steve Karl, had working Commerce, serving as vice and the cattle industry, he challenging times will also many times I have to pres- Lifelong friend Bill with Shivers during the fair. president and president. probed, “Where do we go require guts, he pointed out. ent a blank canvas and draw Marston said he and Ron Shivers was a long-time He was co-chairman of from here? Where do we “The one thing I want you on a canvas someone can- knew each “longer then we CKFF board member, hold- the Chamber AG-Commit- start, what do we do and to remember tonight is that not see.” can remember.” ing the offices of president tee and Chamber represen- where do we fit?” unusual courage can pro- “So the challenge for “That might sound silly,” and vice president. tative on the Central Kansas He encouraged his lis- duce unusual results. Some- all of us is to understand Marston said, “but I have a “If we needed some- teners to move ahead by times that courage means that it’s going to take some Free Fair Board, holding document that shows we thing and we couldn’t come looking behind. “One of saying no, sometimes it guts, we’re going to have a the offices of vice president were both on the cradle up with it, Ronnie was al- the best things you can do means being a listener rath- ‘beyond the obvious’ im- and president. He was in- roll at Industry Methodist ways the one would could with your families, in your er than offering our opinion pact, and also, what is there ducted into the Fairs and Church. Him and I and his figure out how to fix it or communities or with your all the time.” to preserve and protect?” Festivals Hall of Fame in sister Evelyn were all on make it or where to go get operation, is look back.” He spoke of Chiefs play- Holthus told of the Home 2010. it.” it,” Karl said. He spoke of his great, great, er Eric Berry’s battle with on the Range cabin that Shivers was named Dis- A cradle roll is the first She remembered how great grandfather who came non-Hodgkins lymphoma; sits on his family’s proper- tinguished Citizen of the Sunday school class in a Shivers would play pranks to Kansas from Germany, the interception he ran back ty in Smith County, where year in 2001 by the Abilene church, Marston said. to lighten up what some- tried to farm in Brown- for a touchdown in his first the poem that eventually Area Chamber of Com- Marston discovered times was a tense atmo- ville, Nebraska until he game, played in his home- became the now-famous merce. He helped Dickin- the cradle roll coincidence sphere. went broke, then joined the town of Atlanta, after re- song was first penned. For son County 4-H Horse Club years later after he found “He brought golf carts Union Army in 1861. On turning from cancer treat- sixty years, his great aunt raise funds. He was the pa- the certificate in his moth- for us to use so we didn’t September 17, 1864, while ments. “Movie producers and uncle preserved and rade marshal in 2018 at the er’s things. have to do so much run- serving with 66 members couldn’t write this stuff,” he protected the cabin, turn- Abilene Wild Bill Hickok The two men had plenty ning, and he’d pull tricks on of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry said. “It was life imitating ing down large offers to Parade and was recognized in common. Besides being us. One year, he switched and 38 members of the First art.” After the touchdown, purchase and move it. The as the 2018 Volunteer of the lifelong friends, they served the keys on the golf carts Kansas Colored Infantry, Berry carried the ball to baton was then passed on Year by Dickinson County together on the historical and we couldn’t figure out he was ambushed by 2000 his mom in the stands, then to his father, who continued Historical Society. society and fair boards. how come they wouldn’t Confederate soldiers. Dedicated volunteer looked at his father and the work of preserving it. Jackson said Shivers and work. Another time, he “It was more of a mas- promised, “I’ll be back.” Now they have a 501(c) “He did numerous vol- his wife, Doris, and Mar- switched the electric plugs sacre than a fight,” Holtus “Like Schwarzenegger (3) in place to continue it’s unteer things down here at ston and his wife, Nancy, on the carts so we couldn’t described. While his great, or something,” Holthus legacy and Holthus said he the Heritage Center,” said great, great grandfather was often could be seen handing recharge them and then he quipped. feels the slap of the baton Twila Jackson, Dickinson out hot chocolate in Berk- would stand around the cor- wounded twice, the black Home Later, with the Atlanta in his own hand now. County Historical Society land Store during Christ- ner, laughing,” Karl said. soldiers were hunted down Falcons leading 28-27 and on the Range, it’s your office manager. “But when- mas in the Cabin. “It made things go easier. It like rabbits and killed, with going for a two-point con- Kansas state song and it’s ever he came in, he always Marston said he and Ron was more fun.” no chance for surrender. version, Berry picked it off become our passion to pro- sat down and visited.” grew up during the time She also remembered “I’m proud of my great, in the end zone and ran tect it, to preserve it and to He was on the board when farming was tran- how Shivers “always had it back to give the Chiefs pass it on.” of trustees, serving as sitioning from horses to your back.” the two points instead.

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