BOONE, Iowa—Ross L. Loudon, 82, of Boone, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Ross was born on April 9, 1941, in Ringgold County Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Dorothy (Foster) Loudon. He graduated from Diagonal High School.

Ross served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Enterprise, where he was an aircraft mechanic. He received a commendation from the Navy, for running a photo recon mission during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He married Alecia Fleming and to this union a son, Scott, was born. They later divorced.

Ross was employed at Ames Ready Mix, before becoming a Railroad Executive with DA Wilson Company, where he bought and sold locomotives.

Ross then met the love of his life, Kathleen “Kate” Kester, and they have spent the last 45 years together. He was a blessing to Kate with helping to raise her three children. Ross could fix anything and built motorcycle trikes. They made numerous motorcycle trips throughout the United States that were very memorable.

Ross enjoyed fishing, gardening, their parakeets and dogs. He looked forward to every summer, when he would go and camp at the Iowa State Fair and talk to all the people.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dean Loudon, Rodger Loudon and Rob Loudon.

Ross is survived by his lifetime companion, Kate Kester of Boone; son, Scott (Lynnell) Loudon of Huxley; three grandchildren, Alex (Sara) Loudon and their son Gavin, Evan Loudon (girlfriend, Katelynn) and Owen Loudon; three step-children, Rhonda (Don) Stuhrenberg of Des Moines, Nathan (Adria) Kester of Ogden and Maria (John) Wiebold of Boone; 19 step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Donna Akers of Omaha, NE and Lora Dodge of Russellville, AR.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Ross’ family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.