Ron McMahon (1938-2020)

MCMAHON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/14/2020 at 20:01:02

Ron McMahon retired from a successful life on Saturday, February 2, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Born on September 25, 1938, in Independence, Iowa, he was the youngest of five interns to original investors of the McMahon Family franchise, William and Mary (O’Neal) McMahon. He studied under their tutelage, graduating from Manchester High School in 1956, before serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. Ron started his own franchise of the McMahon Family at St. John’s Catholic Church in Coggon, Iowa on October 13, 1962, with his co-owner (and “prettiest girl I ever met”), Judy Houlahan. Ron and Judy would attend executive meetings with friends and neighbors where they would share ideas at dances and over card games until the wee hours of the morning. These friends and neighbors attributed to their success as the business expanded. Day-to-day operations were funded by running the family farm and other careers. But the true results of the “best investment I ever made” were evident through a robust 14K – his children. The interns – Connie (Jon) Behnken, Julia McMahon, Patty (Mike) Briggs, Jean McMahon, Bill (Margaret) McMahon, Mike (Julie) McMahon, Dan (Lori) McMahon, Coleen (Ryan) Meissner, Rich (Audrey) McMahon, Marjie (Kevin) Werner, Tim McMahon, Bob McMahon, Kelly McMahon, and Kerry (Tim) Pasker – have generated future yields of 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, ensuring a successful legacy for generations to come. Later in life, they acquired an international branch headed by Andy Buletten, a foreign exchange student from Germany who became an unofficial investor in the McMahon Family. With Ron at the helm, production consisted mainly of laughter and compassion, with a few downturns of anger and grief. The mission statement for the company was built on love and respect. Work sessions were continuous; family gatherings, ball games, concerts, recitals, long car rides, and competitive rounds of Pegs and Jokers. Views were often shared at volumes and using words not generally expressed during business meetings. But the McMahon Family was not a usual business.

After 57 years as Chairman, Ron leaves behind his loving co-owner to oversee day-to-day operations. He will be missed by other franchise owners, sisters-in-law, Barbara McMahon and Rosemary McMahon; and many nieces and nephews.

His next scheduled appointment is a reunion with his former partners: his parents, William and Mary; and his siblings and their spouses, Harold McMahon, Loraine and Kenneth Wickman, Virginia and Bill Drummy and Ray McMahon.

A Public Shareholder’s Meeting (visitation) will be held from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, where a Scripture Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. The family will also greet friends from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester. Final Executive Meeting (Funeral Mass) will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. Committal Service will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Masonville.