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Personal Music
History
I started playing trumpet in the 4th grade and played
throughout High school and college in concert bands and dance bands in and around the St.
Louis area through 1963. Playing since then has been a
take-it-out-of-the-case-once-a-year thing. I play King Instruments. I still have the
King Super20 my father gave me in 1952 and my concert instrument of choice is a King
Liberty manufactured in 1965. My family convinced me to start playing again 9
months ago, and I started looking for a band in March 2007.
Statement About New Horizons Band
I love the warm and welcoming atmosphere of
NHBD. I like playing every week and feel challenged by the public performances. I am
looking forward to getting to know the other members and to making a musical contribution.
I feel I am “home” again with music in my life.
Within New Horizons Association
Ron played in the trumpet section in the New Horizons Band for many
years. He also played in the UpSwing Jazz Band.
OBITUARY
Ronald Edwin Kukal, our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and
friend went home to be with our Lord on July 21st, 2017. He was surrounded by his family and
friends. Ron was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 25th, 1941. He worked for AT&T for
thirty-two years in sales. He retired from the communications industry at forty-three
years old and he began a new career in selling adjustable beds. He had inherited the
business from his father-in-law, Rodney Fletcher. He sold and repaired adjustable beds for
twenty plus years. During this time, he often had the opportunity to share his love for the
Lord with many of his customers. In his late sixties, he returned to a love of music that
he had early in life with playing the trumpet. He was in five bands and very active
with the many concerts at various local venues until losing his sight three years ago
due to illness. He loved interacting with people and never knew a stranger. We shall
miss him greatly but know in our hearts that he is now playing glorious music on his horn
for his creator and the angels. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie
Kukal. He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Kukal of Dallas, daughter Beth Kukal of
Dallas, daughter Margaret Sylvester and husband Tony Sylvester of Plano, step-daughter
Shannon Griffin and husband Greg Ball of Savannah, grandson Calvin Sylvester and wife Scarlett
Sylvester of Dallas, grandson Sam Sylvester of Plano, granddaughter Yasmine Griffin of Savannah,
brother Gerry Kukal of Las Vegas, Nevada and former wife and friend Mary Kukal of Plano.
The memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 27th at 11:00am at Arapaho United
Methodist Church located at 1400 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson, Texas. Flowers may be
sent to the church or a donation may be made in Ron's name.
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