Ronald Eugene Viskozki

Ronald Eugene Viskozki passed away in Shreveport, LA, on Friday, October 27, 2023 at the age of 88.  He was born on January 24, 1935 to Mike and Agnes Viskozki of Taylorville, IL.  A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church of Shreveport, LA, officiated by The Reverend Doctor R. Pat Day.  A private graveside service with military honors will follow at Restland Cemetery in Tenaha, TX officiated by The Reverend Doctor Will K. Andress. 

Ron grew up in Taylorville, IL and attended Taylorville High School. He loved Illinois and would take his family on trips back home many times, always sharing the stories of growing up in a small town where his dad owned the neighborhood grocery store and he spent all his free time playing sports.  Ron excelled in sports for his hometown Tornadoes and was inducted into the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame many times for various sports.

It was his athletic talent that brought him to Shreveport as a member of the Illinois All-State Basketball Team and where his lifelong love of Centenary College began.  Ron was offered a multi-sport athletic scholarship by the college and he enrolled in 1953. He was a four-year letterman in both basketball and baseball, and won many athletic accolades and awards during and after his time at Centenary.  In 2014, he was selected into the Centenary College Athletic Hall of Fame.  Ron would tell you his biggest accomplishment at Centenary was meeting and marrying the love of his life, and Centenary’s basketball sweetheart, Emily Hayden from Tenaha, TX.

Ron was also a part of the ROTC Program at Centenary and commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Army upon graduation in 1957.  Ron and Emily moved to Indianapolis where he was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison.   Upon completion of his assigned duties at Ft. Harrison, Ron and Emily returned to Shreveport where he continued his service in the Army Reserves at the rank of Captain.

As strong as his love for his family was, so was his love of the Lord.  He was a man of strong faith.  In 1958, Ron and Emily joined First Methodist Church of Shreveport, LA and became active in the Co-Wed Sunday School Class.  Ron served on numerous church committees and loved being an usher in the balcony.  He looked forward to every Sunday where he could talk and joke with his balcony family.  Ron brought much laughter and kindness to all who worshipped at First Methodist.  

His quiet and humble life of service was an inspiration to his family.  Ron was the founder of the area’s church Spirit Basketball League.  A league that kids, who might not have a chance anywhere else, could play organized basketball in a fun and supportive environment.  He served as president of the both the South Shreveport Kiwanis Club and the Lenders Exchange.  Ron was an active participant in Centenary College his entire life; serving, volunteering, and always supporting the Centenary College Alumni Association.  He and his son could often be found enjoying watching the Gents in the Gold Dome. These were just a few of his favorite areas of service from others too numerous to list.

Ron worked in the banking industry for many decades.  When most people would be retiring, Ron went to work at Bossier Parish Community College in their finance department.  He loved helping college kids so much, he kept putting off retirement.  He always wanted one more year to keep helping the students.

We will miss our hero, husband, father, and granddaddy, but he is with the Lord, who he loved with all his heart, and who he showed us every day through a life well lived and well loved.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Richard A. Viskozki. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Emily; son, Ronald A. Viskozki and wife, Lynette of Shreveport, LA; granddaughter Emma Cortese and husband, Eric of Ft. Wayne, IN; grandson, CPT Hayden Viskozki of Raleigh, NC; and several nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Seborn Woods, a long-time friend and family care physician, The Reverend Dr. Will K. Andress, minister and long-time family friend, The Reverend Dr. R. Pat Day, retired minister, Dr. William H. Haynie, Jr. and the entire staff at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists of Shreveport.

Serving as pallbearers are Rob Rubel, Brady Harris, Joey Brown, Hoyt Bain, Bill Lacefield and David Green.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Seborn Woods, Dr. Will K. Andress, Ron Whitler, Dr. Barron O’Neal and the Co-Wed Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ron’s name to First Methodist Church, Head of Texas Street, Shreveport, LA or Centenary College of Louisiana Athletic Department, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, LA.