A Life of Service, Leadership, and Community

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Ardon Doran, a longtime leader and former General Manager of Red River Communications.

Ardon passed away on April 17, 2026, at the age of 83 in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

To many in our cooperative and throughout the southern Red River Valley, Ardon was more than a leader. He was a steady presence, a problem-solver, and a neighbor you could always rely on.

Ardon dedicated 40 years to the telephone and telecommunications industry, including 26 years with Red River Communications, where he served first as a repairman and later as General Manager. Those who worked with him knew his leadership was not about titles. It was about showing up, doing the work, and caring for people.

He helped guide Red River Communications during a time when both the industry and our communities were changing quickly. Through it all, Ardon stayed true to the cooperative values that still define us: local commitment, long-term thinking, and putting service first.

Outside of work, Ardon showed the same dedication. He served his community in many ways, including as a school board member, a mayor, and an active church member. Ardon always stepped up when leadership was needed. He also stayed closely connected to rural life through farming and found joy in simple things, especially spending time golfing, a passion he enjoyed for over 50 years.

Above all, Ardon was a family man. He and his wife, Ruth, built their life around love, hard work, and community, raising their children and later enjoying time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ardon’s legacy is part of the foundation of Red River Communications. The work he led continues today in every fiber line we place, every customer we serve, and every community we support.

We are grateful for his years of service, his leadership, and the example he set.

Our thoughts are with Ruth, his family, and all who knew and loved him.

Thank you, Ardon, for helping build what we are today.

To read Ardon’s full obituary, please follow this link: https://www.vertinmunson.com/obituaries/ardon-doran