Ronald Eugene ‘Ron’ Barnhart, 70, of Hutchinson, died April 3, 2018, at Newton Medical Center, after a 3 ½ year battle with MDS, AML Leukemia, and several recent bouts with double pneumonia. He was born March 29, 1948, in Hutchinson, the oldest son of Kenneth and Kathleen (VanZandt) Barnhart. Ron graduated from Buhler High School in 1966 and served in the Kansas National Guard as a mess sergeant. 
He was co-owner, with his son Scott, and president of Kenny’s Electric Co. Inc., Hutchinson, and recently completed his 52nd year as an active member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Ron had served as president and remained a board member of the Hutchinson Electrical Training Academy for nearly 30 years with the IBEW, and served on the Negotiation Committee, Pension Committee, and Labor and Relations Committee of IBEW Local #661.
He served on the Safety Academy Advisory Board for Hutchinson Community College as the Hutchinson division chairman, governor, and later president of the Kansas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (KsNECA). Ron also served on the Management Development Committee, the Educational and Training Committee, and the Safety and Training Committee of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
He was an active member of the Covered Wagons Motorhome Group, Good Sam Club, and the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA).
Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling in the motorhome with Sherry, and his companion dachshunds, Buddy and Beau. First and foremost, he wanted to help and encourage others to set goals, work hard, be honest, fair, show compassion towards others and always take the high road. 
Above all, Ron’s pride and joy were his grandchildren: Kylee, Faith, Kenneth, and Jaden. He was proud of the accomplishments that each were making with Honor Roll grades, school awards, FFA, great strides in drafting, civil engineering classes, sports, and employment advances.
On November 3, 1967, he married Sherry L. Hays in Hutchinson. They celebrated 50 years and 5 months of marriage, in addition to three years as high school sweethearts. She survives.
Other survivors include: daughter, Rhonda Kretzer (Gary); son, Scott Barnhart (Shari); grandchildren, Faith and Jaden Kretzer, Kylee and Kenneth Barnhart; sisters, Kay Beck and Sue Stevens; brother, Bill Barnhart (Anita), all of Hutchinson; and numerous other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Steve Hodgson officiating. Funeral honors will be conducted by the Kansas National Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the family present to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Central Care Cancer Center of Newton, Buhler FFA, or Union Valley Bible Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.