Ronald Eken

Ronald Charles Eken was born May 21, 1947, in Seoul, Korea where his father, Truman Eken served in the Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) and his mother, Alice Eken served as a language interpreter for the CIC. Ron was sent to his eternal home on September 13, 2026.Though Ron was born overseas, his formative years were spent growing up in Lincoln, Missouri. Ron worked hard to learn trades that would benefit him and his family for years to come, mostly following in his father’s footsteps of farming and construction. But along with this hard work, he was further blessed as an excellent athlete and top musician. Ron was an instrumental cog helping take the Lincoln High School Basketball Team deep into the 1963 Missouri State Championship Tournament. He was further a gifted Fast-Pitch Softball Player, leading his High School Team to multiple undefeated seasons in conference play. And not only was he multi-talented in sports, Ron played a “mean” Sousaphone, or Tuba. Ron won numerous Missouri State Level Medals for his Tuba Solos. While excelling in all these High School activities, Ron also found great fun on the drag-strip, both official and non-official! Ron loved his 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS or Super Sport. And though he would not know it at the time, drivers like Ron were laying the grass root foundation for the American “Muscle Car” craze of the mid-60s to early-70s. Ron graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965. The Summer of 1966 is most noteworthy: Ron married his one, life-long Sweetheart, Carolyn Young of Stover, Missouri. Carolyn and Ron were Married for 61 Years! Growing up, Ron loved the Eken Family grain farm north of Lincoln. Eventually, he and Carolyn would purchase a nearby farm, build a home and Ron would work hard to nurture his construction and retail businesses, along with farming. Ron was responsible for numerous construction projects that still exist today in Lincoln, Benton County and beyond.Later, Ron’s business path became one of real estate, becoming a broker for the United Farm Agency. The family moved to Searcy, Arkansas where Ron developed a very successful business selling a variety of properties, focusing on farms.

With each move, Ron and Carolyn carried with them the same devotion to family, faith, and hard work that had shaped their life from the beginning, eventually making Florida an important chapter in their journey together. It was during these years that they took great joy in supporting Stephanie throughout her basketball career, first during her high school years and later as she continued playing at the University of Richmond. Whether traveling to games or cheering her on from the stands, Ron and Carolyn were faithful supporters and took great pride in her hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. Ron also continued to grow as a businessman, building the BullEk Corporation that managed real estate properties throughout the Southeast. In time, that same entrepreneurial spirit led Ron and Carolyn to Tennessee, where he continued developing businesses centered around real estate properties. As throughout his life, Ron approached each opportunity with vision, determination, and the steady work ethic that had carried him from farming and construction to brokerage and business ownership.

Ron’s journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion and unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends and those his life touched. Ron is now at peace in the arms of his Savior. Ron is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn; daughters, Pamela Michelle Baker and Dr. Stephanie Eken Sander, Son-In-Laws Greg Baker and Shannon Sander and one grandson, Cole Baker, brother Jim Eken and sister-in-law Dana Eken; nephew James (Zach) Eken and spouse Rachel Eken. A celebration of life for Ron with a date to be determined and location is pending.