CINDY HARDING
News Staff
DIERKS – Ronnie Kesterson, owner of Ron’s
Barber Shop on Main Avenue in Dierks, died
Fri., Nov. 27 at Baptist Health Medical Center
in Little Rock (See obituary on page 3).
Kesterson was a 1963 graduate of Dierks
High School and attended barber school in
Little Rock.
After completing barber school, he worked
for one year at the Little Rock Airport and one
year at Mack’s Barber Shop in Hot Springs
before returning to Dierks. Upon returning
home, he bought what was to become Ron’s
Barber Shop from David Stapp.
Stapp’s father, Willie, also a barber, worked
for a while in the shop with Ronnie until his
[Willie’s] health failed. After Willie left, Ronnie
ran the shop by himself until his brother, Bob,
retired from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department.
After Bob’s retirement, he worked
one day a week at Ron’s and filled in other
times when Ronnie was unable to be in the
shop.
Kesterson’s wife, Sharon, was told by
someone on Sunday that
Ronnie had cut hair for five
generations of her family.
There are probably many
families in the Dierks and
surrounding area that have
similar stories. Appointments
at Ron’s Barber Shop
were not necessary. In fact,
an appointment was difficult
to make as Kesterson never
saw the need to have a telephone
in the shop.
Kesterson was blessed
with the gift of being able to
find something in common
with almost anyone and
converse with them. When
he would ask you, “How are
you?,” he truly wanted to
know and cared and when
he told you to “Have a good
day,” he hoped you had one.
Kesterson had a smile so
bright that it lit up his eyes
and he shared one with everyone
he met.
Friends and fellow business
owners reflect on Kesterson:
David E. Young: “I’ve
known Ronnie for over 50
years. As far as I know, he
didn’t have a single enemy.
He was a good neighbor
and friend. The world could
use a lot more Ronnie Kestersons.”
June Pinson, owner of
JJ’s Market: “I’m gonna miss
him big time. He was a good
man.”
Lynn Ward, owner of Raven’s
Flower & Gift Shop:
“Saying Ronnie was a ‘good
man’ isn’t good enough. He
was a very kind, soft spoken
man with a golden heart and
hardworking hands. Very
much a family man even to
many that were only family
in his heart. Always full
of love and laughter, never
without a smile, encouraging
words and positive
thoughts. He gave to all but
best of all he was a Godly
man. One who proved himself
well. Our community will
be forever changed without
him. He left some mighty big
shoes to fill. To put it quite
simply, he one of the best of
the best. Fly high my friend,
fly high. You’ll wear those
wings well.”
Dierks Mayor Terry
Mounts: “The world is full of
barbers and then you had
Ronnie Kesterson. He was
a unique and good man. If
you ever had the pleasure of
watching him give a little one
his first haircut, it was magical
how he could make them
unafraid. He was a great man
and will be missed.”
Gary Pinkerton, owner of
Pinkerton Financial Services:
“Ronnie was more than a
barber, he was a person that
would listen, a very patient
and caring man. I will miss
him greatly.”
