Ronald Gene Kubala Sr. was born January 5, 1939, and passed away January 24, 2025, at the age of 86.

Ronald was born to a first-generation American Czech family in Mont Belvieu, Texas. His first language was Czech until the first grade when he learned to speak English. At 13, he worked at the local feed store and lumber yard to pay for his clothes for the coming school year and for college.

In 1967, he met and married Sammie Lambert. He worked for Upjohn Chemical, then transitioned to manager of the Fair Store and TG&Y. He retired from Exxon refinery.

He loved to laugh and was known to pull April Fools jokes on his family over the years, and he loved to be in the middle of any shenanigans his brothers-in-law were pulling. He loved traveling with all of his family and loved a good adventure. He never wanted to miss out on the fun.

Ronald enjoyed junking with his grandson, Ron, and his mother-in-law, Ellaweise. He was always so proud of all his grandchildren and enjoyed being with them. He loved to play games like cards, dominoes, bingo, Mario, and Pac-Man.

He and Sammie hosted a Sunday morning gospel radio program for 5 ½ years. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ, read the Bible daily, and had a great faith inspired by what was "impossible with men was possible with God."

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sammie; his beloved children, Ronald and Andra Kubala, Roland and Rita Kubala, and Julie and Darryl Smith; grandchildren, Michael, Brad, Ron III, Desiree, Jordan, Jasper, Austin, Sam, Tyler, Bret, Dallas, Jacey, and Bethany; 18 great grandchildren; siblings, Milton Kubala, Halton and Gray Lambert, Alton and Brenda Lambert, Rev. Elton and Pam Lambert, Sharon Lambert, and Janet Lambert; cousins, Dr. Royce and Shelia Strickland, Diane Flood, and Kelli Rice; along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Joanie Kubala; grandson, Taylor Kubala; parents, Ted and Millie Kubala; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harmon and Ellaweise Lambert; brother-in-law, Dalton Lambert; sister-in-law, Joyce Kubala; and cousins, Candace Penny and Karen Rice.

Pallbearers will be Coby Lambert, Ryan Lambert, Brent Kubala, Greg Kubala, Cade Marze, Andrew Thresher, Fred Wisby, and Harmon Lambert.

Honorary Pallbearers are Milton Kubala, Dr. Royce Strickland Halton Lambert, Alton Lambert, Josh Rainwater, Jerry Day, and Dalton "Bud" Lambert.

Heavenly Pallbearers to meet Ronald in Heaven are Dalton Lambert, Johnnie and Elsie Hlavaty, J.M. and Lydia Gosch, Roy and Olga Strickland, Amil and Albina Jancalek, Frank Nedbalek, Candace Penny, and Karen Rice.

Family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Grabow United Pentecostal Church, DeRidder, Louisiana. Rev. Elton Lambert will be officiating. Interment to follow at Cooper Cemetery, Merryville, Louisiana.