Page 4 - MWC 3-30-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · March 30, 2023 · P4
Our close friend and well-
known Howard County cat-
tleman, Ron McBee, died sud-
denly in a farm accident east
of Fayette on March 15, 2023.
He was 71 years of age.
Ronald Rice McBee was
born February 19, 1952, in
Braymer, MO, the son of Lloyd
E. and Ramona (Rice) McBee.
He was educated in Braymer
Public Schools and graduated
with the class of 1970. He con-
tinued his education obtain-
ing his degree at the Univer-
sity of Missouri, graduating
in 1974 specializing in Agri-
culture Science and Animal
Husbandry. Ron was united
in marriage to Teri Bounds
on August 16, 1991. Appro-
priately, the couple chose the
Highway Gardens at Missou-
ri State Fair in Sedalia, MO
as the site of the ceremony.
Mrs. McBee survives of the
home.
Ron loved his family deeply
and had a rooted passion for
the cattle business. His inter-
est developed from an early
age and continued through-
out his life. Early in his career,
along with his cattle business,
he worked as a Distributor for
Gallagher Power Fence. Ron
was highly recognized as an
expert in controlled grazing.
He was well known for the
quality of the stock he pro- ference.
duced and the specialized
breed he raised. He estab-
lished McBee Cattle Compa-
ny in 1974. The cattle sales
that were held regularly at
the ranch drew crowds from
a wide and diverse area.
Ever interested and involved
with other stockmen, Ron
had served on many boards
in various capacities includ-
ing President of the Missouri
Cattlemen’s Association and
the National Braunvieh Asso-
ciation.
Ron led a life of dedication, comment on an arti-
hard work, humanitarian- cle in this publication
ism, and kindness and will be – sometimes on this
missed by many. very column. When I
Even as I read this, I find think about it, he was
it hard to believe. When you the closest I ever had
lose a close friend in an acci- to a ‘big brother’. His
dent, there is no warning and opinion mattered a lot
disbelief is often over-whelm- because I knew it was
ing. Most of us who knew offered only after he
Ron well, knew him as a had thought the issue
thoughtful, very intelligent, through, and it was
careful man – certainly not always seasoned with
a man who took unnecessary a heavy dose of ‘real
chances. But accidents are world experience’ and
just that – accidents and none unforgettable wit. I’m
of us are immune. going to really miss
As you read this, I’d hope Ron. I’m going to miss
that you might reflect on two his raw honesty – I’m
or three simple things. First, going to miss that wit.
take your time. Too many of Let’s be clear, Ron was not be complete without them,
us are usually in too big of a only highly recognized as an and I’ve heard people who
hurry. I don’t know whether expert in controlled grazing, love horses say the same. I’m
Ron was in a hurry that day he was THE EXPERT in Mis- certain that my friend Ron’s
or not, but I wish he could be souri long before some at the most precious image of Heav-
here today to tell us. He can’t university began promoting it en would be the reunion he
be. as their own innovation. Ron will have with those very pre-
Next, always choose the never tired of teaching the cious ones he so suddenly and
safest path and take someone principles of grazing or telling unwillingly left behind – be-
along. All of us go out near- the story of one set of cows he yond that I don’t know.
ly every day to do a job alone had that were old enough to If I, through God’s grace,
when it would make more vote but had never had a sin- should enter that Heaven-
sense to go as a team. Let’s gle bale of hay. ly home, I’ll be looking for
face it – things happen, but Ron McBee also never tired my friend Ron. He’ll be the
when they do, having that of telling the story about one one out there on one of God’s
other person there may make set of cross-bred heifers he hills, on the distant horizon,
all the difference. If you can’t bought from Ron Franken wearing some comfortable
take someone along today, from Linn, Missouri. There blue jeans and lace-up shoes,
then perhaps that job can were over twenty head in watching after The Maker’s
wait until tomorrow. Why the group and they all, with- ‘cattle on a thousand hills’.
not just make it a ranch rule out exception, had a live calf, Those cows will likely be in a
right now? Someone on the weaned a calf, and all ‘bred ‘rotation’ - grazing some heav-
job alone is just that – they back’. Ron would say, “That enly, lush, green grass. When
are alone. Nine times out of had never happened to me I see him smile, then I’ll know
ten it won’t matter, but what before.” It certainly got his it’s my friend Ron McBee.
about number ten? Take attention. Those heifers
someone along to learn – to were the beginning of Ron’s
teach them something - to story with the Braunvieh
enjoy their company, or just breed. His contribution to the
take them along just because Braunvieh breed’s history,
they can use a phone. Anoth- and its development for use in
er set of hands, or another set commercial herds for decades
of eyes could make all the dif- to come cannot adequately
yet be measured, and in my
Finally, hold those closest opinion, is not likely to ever
to you like there may not be a be matched.
tomorrow. Tell those in your From Denver, Houston, San
life how much you appreciate Antonio, College Station, and
them. We never know when New Braunfels; from Firth,
the day will come when we Nebraska to Philadelphia,
will no longer get that chance. Mississippi, Ron and I trav-
Ron McBee was one of our eled a lot of miles together.
readers, one of our advertis- He was always a gentleman.
ers, a partner in multiple ven- He always had class, and he
tures, but more than any of would always stop what he “For every beast of the
that, Ron was a close friend was doing to help a friend. forest is mine, and the cattle
for almost thirty years. On Ron’s word was his ‘bond’. on a thousand hills.”
more than one occasion, he I’ve heard some who love -Psalm 50:10
would be the first to call and dogs say that heaven won’t