A celebration of life is coming next weekend for a longtime member of Lyon County’s emergency communications department.
Ron Buckridge, the former Deputy Director of the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center, passed away March 30 at the age of 55 following a six-year battle with cancer. A native of Emporia, Buckridge graduated from Hartford High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Emporia State University.
Buckridge began his better than 30-year career in emergency communications right after graduation from ESU, taking a job with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Current LCECC Director Roxanne Van Gundy first met Buckridge during her time with the Emporia Police Department before city and county 911 operations were consolidated into the LCECC in 2015.
Van Gundy says Buckridge was a “character” who brought a balanced atmosphere to the workplace.
She adds that even despite battling cancer, Buckridge showed an impressive level of dedication to the job saying he truly embodied the value of perseverance
A celebration of life is planned for 2 pm next Saturday, May 3, at the Jones VanArsdale funeral home and crematory in Lebo. Private internment will take place at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery near Neosho Rapids.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Emporia Arts Council in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 43 Lebo, KS 66856.
