Ronald D. Hahn, 71, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Nov. 27, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Garnet S. and Bessie Sailors Hahn. He was raised in the Bloomfield, Mo., community by his beloved foster parents, Ruby and Jay Downen.

After graduating from Bloomfield High School with the class of 1958, Ron entered the U.S. Navy on June 23, 1958. It was in the Navy that he met the love of his life, Frances Mondragon. He was honorably discharged Nov. 16, 1961. He and Frances were married Dec. 16, 1961, in Raton, N.M. Their union was blessed with two daughters.

After working for Standard Oil in California and as a ticket agent for Ozark Airlines in Cape Girardeau, he embarked on a 35-year career in the railroad industry. He worked for Cotton Belt Railroad/Southern Pacific Railroad, now known as Union Pacific Railroad, retiring as a conductor in 1998.

Ron previously held multiple offices with United Transportation Union Local 512 in Scott City. He formerly served on the Illmo City Council and as police chief of Illmo. He coached Little League in Scott City, and was a volunteer with the American Red Cross and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children), both in Cape Girardeau. He had a sincere love for dogs and especially enjoyed assisting at K-9 Training Center of SEMO.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 51 years, Frances of Jackson; two daughters, Renee Callow and husband Shane of Garland, Utah, Tammy Hahn-Brown and husband Scott of Jackson; two grandsons, Zachary Callow and wife Ashley of Fort Worth, Texas, Keegan Callow and fiancee Madelyn Ressel of Columbia, Mo.; and beloved dog, Lucky Dog. Ron was anxiously awaiting his first great-grandchild, baby girl Kenley, scheduled to arrive in January to Zachary and Ashley.

He was preceded in death by his foster parents and biological parents.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tommy Weems officiating. The family will observe a private committal service with full military honors at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.