Why We Exist
The Cody Ron Foundation was created from grief – but it stands for hope.
We support the children of the rail-road workers who’ve passed away – especially those left behind by strict eligibility rules, red tape, or custody complications. Too many kids fall through the cracks after losing a parent, and for years, we lived that story ourselves.
Founded by Kaylene Tinsley in honor of her father, Cody Ron Blaquiere, and grandfather, Ronald Joseph Blaquiere, the foundation honors two generations of hardworking rail-roader who helped build the tracks-and who’s stories now power our mission.
Our Story
Built by the Rail-Road. Broken by the System. Rebuilt by Love.
in 2014, we lost Cody Ron – beloved dad, railroad worker, and proud son to Ron Blaquiere, a lifelong trackman who gave 41 years to the rail industry. When Cody died, everything changed. His children – especially those in unique custody or legal circumstances – were left with no support from the systems meant to help them.
Scholarships had rules we didn’t fit. Foundations told us “no” because a parent remarried or custody had shifted. Aid never came.
So we built something that never existed for us – a foundation that sees the ones who are usually unseen.
Today, we serve children of railroad workers who’ve passed – no matter the paper trail or the custody status. Because grief doesn’t follow a rule-book.
What We Stand For
- Equity in Loss – We believe every grieving child deserves comfort and connection, not red tape.
- Legacy and Love – We celebrate the lives of rail-road workers and the families who carry their stories forward.
- Joy and Resistance – Through care packages, story telling, and special events, we help kids reclaim joy – because healing isn’t just about surviving. It’s about living again.
Meet Cody Ron and Ron Blaquiere
Cody Ron Blaquiere (11/21/1978 – 2014)
Cody spent nine years with BNSF Railway, proudly continuing the legacy his father began. A husband, father of six, and true Montana soul, he lived for the outdoors, his family, and the tracks that connected them all. His final wish was to have his ashes launched into space to the sound of Five Finger Death Punch — but most of him now rests in the Little Belt Mountains, beside his dad, where both their stories began and returned.
Ronald Joseph Blaquiere (11/21/1946 – 2023)
Ron began his railroad career as a Milwaukee Road apprentice in 1967, later retiring from Burlington Northern with a legacy of dedication and craftsmanship. After a humble log structure was set in place, he poured his hands and heart into transforming it into a true home in the Little Belt Mountains—a place built with love, grit, and care. Today, that same cabin holds even deeper meaning, as it is now the final resting place of both Ron and his son Cody.
Their love, labor, and legacy live on in every care basket we send and every child we serve.
The Cody Ron Foundation 