Ronald "Preacher" Kauffman

Ron Kauffman is now truly, “Fine as a frog’s hair split four ways,” as he has finished his course and is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ron passed away Friday morning, December 27, 2024, at the age of 83. Ron was born May 10, 1941, in Ames, Iowa to Glenn and Sarah (Wolfe) Kauffman. His childhood was spent in various towns in Arkansas and Oklahoma as his father pastored numerous Southern Baptist churches in these states, as well as ministered as an evangelist to countless more churches. While attending a Christian high school in Arkansas, Ron met his wife, Carol Harms, from Garden City, Kansas. They wed in January 1959, when he was just 17 years old. They would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this coming January 17th. To this union God added four children: Kenneth Paul, Ronald Dwight, Jr., Kevin James, and Sheryl Kay. Ron moved his young family to Denver, Colorado in 1967 to attend Denver Baptist Bible College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on May 26, 1972. He returned to Garden City, Kansas where he served in his local church, Fellowship Baptist Church, eventually joining the staff as Associate Pastor in 1979. He was ordained to the ministry in June 1981. In January 1991, Ron moved with his wife back to Arkansas in order to care for his father who had Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). In April of the same year, the Lord pressed upon Ron’s heart to start a church in Russellville, Arkansas. Under Ron’s leadership at Bible Baptist Church, many souls were saved both locally and across the world through the church’s support of missionaries across the globe. Anyone who knew Ron, knew that he had a heart for missions. Before the church had even celebrated its first anniversary, it had hosted a Faith Promise Missions Conference and had taken on several missionaries to support. Ron pastored Bible Baptist Church for twenty-four years before reluctantly retiring due to effects of Parkinson’s Disease. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn William Kauffman and Sarah Belle (Wolfe) Kauffman; his brothers, Rex Franklin Kauffman and Roy Glenn Kauffman; and his son Ronald Dwight Kauffman, Jr. (who is survived by his wife, Donna (Ridley) Kauffman). 

Ron Sr. is survived by his wife, Carol (Harms) Kauffman; sons Kenneth Kauffman (and wife Connie (Perkins) Kauffman), Kevin Kauffman (and wife Linette (Hirschfield) Kauffman), and daughter Sheryl Garza (and husband David Garza); sister Rebecca (Kauffman) Ellison (and her husband Pete Ellison); 10 grandchildren: Andrew Kauffman, Mickey, Kauffman, Christopher Kauffman, Cody Kauffman, Brittany (Kauffman) Condra, Austin Kauffman, Courtney (Kauffman) Curry, Melissa (Garza) Falzini, Travis Garza and Alex Garza; and 13 great-grandchildren. 

Celebration of life will be held Saturday January 11, 2024, 10 am at First Baptist Church of Pottsville; with Rev. Greg Waggoner will officiate.

Cremation arrangements under the direction of Russellville Family Funeral.