Ron “Swede” Kenison, a native of Dillon, Mont., was a 1958 graduate of Western Montana College (WMC) with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a major in industrial arts and a minor in physical education.
He was a four-year letterman in football, a two-time all-conference selection as an offensive lineman and elected captain his junior and senior seasons.
He was active in M-Club and the industrial arts club.
After graduation, he began his teaching and coaching career with a 13-year stint at Beaverhead County High School in Dillon. In 1971, he moved to Butte, Mont. and Butte Central High School as a teacher, athletic director, head football coach and track coach.
The Kenison coached Maroons won three straight Class A football state championships with a three-year record of 28-1. He coached high school sports teams to 12 state or divisional place winnings, including eight championships.
He left Butte Central for a time as Montana Tech’s athletic director and assistant football coach. After Tech, he worked for the Butte-Silver Bow Economic Department Administration followed by a stint as a salesman for Herf Jones.
Kenison was very active in civic groups and organizations in every community he called home.
He earned lifetime member status in the Montana Officials Association after 20 years of service (two as a football official, 20 as a basketball official). Kenison was a charter member of the Montana Football Hall of Fame, He was honored twice (1986 and 1995) by WMC with their Distinguished Alumni Award.
Kenison was inducted into the Montana Western Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He was a three time honoree as Coach of the Year by the Montana Coaches Association and a national coach of the year honoree.
He served as the Frontier Conference Commissioner from 1994 to 2005. During his tenure, the conference grew in size and respect.
Kenison and his wife Barb were married for 49 years and raised seven children. He passed away Oct. 27, 2005.
