From FARM to FORTUNATE through PERSEVERANCE

About the Book

Ronald Bruce Lantz (Ron) and Donna have been married more than fifty-five years. They reside in Austin, TX. where they have lived for the last twenty-five years. Dr. Lantz holds BS and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. He started working for California Research Corporation (Chevron), in the San Francisco, CA area and, after receiving his PhD, worked for Jersey Production Research in Tulsa, OK and Esso Production Research in Houston. Both the latter companies are now part of Exxon. After starting an environmental firm, Intera, and leading it for almost twenty-five years, he retired. He and his three sons own a family venture capital investment firm in which he remains active. He treasures his time with his wife, his sons and daughter-in-laws, his grandchildren, as well as his many school, golf and rotary friends.

About the Author

Jon R. Lantz was born October 2, 1952 in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He was raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from Putnam City West High School in 1970. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1974 from Panhandle State University and his master’s degree from Central State University in 1977. Jon taught history and coached high school football from 1974 to 1985. From 1980 through 1985, he was head coach at Edmond High School where Jon wrote his first novel, “Pickett’s Trail”. In 1986, Jon was named head football coach at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and by 1988 he went undefeated and was named NAIA Division I National Coach of the Year. In 1988, he became head coach at Missouri Southern and by 1993, his team was undefeated. He was extremely significant in the lives of all the young men he coached. In 1996 he took on another adventure….college administration. He served as Director of Student Development for Ozark Christian College from 1996 to 1999. In 1999, he became Vice President of Student Affairs at Northeastern Oklahoma. During this time, he was finishing his dissertation for his doctorate degree from Liberty University. Jon’s hobbies, besides writing, included golf, fishing, reading, woodworking, drawing and playing guitar. At his death, (3/3/07), Jon resided in Joplin, MO with his wife of 34 years, Charlene. They have one son, Paul. Jon was a man of integrity, honesty and he loved his family and his God.