Sept 30, 1939 – July 10, 2021
Ron was born on his grandfather’s farm in Main Centre, Sask. His family relocated to BC when he was 4 yrs old. Ron went to school and did what most kids did in the 50’s. Eventually the family moved to Squamish where Ron hunted and fished until he went to work for BC Forest Service in 1958.
Ron’s forestry career began in Hope, BC where he made lifelong friends that stood by him till the day he died. Vic Doerksen, was his roommate in the old ranger station, cooking on a hotplate, using a crock pot, all on a salary of $150. a month. A few years later as Asst Ranger he made $225. Thinking himself wealthy beyond belief!
It was in Hope that he met Louise, who had come out to Hope to visit an old classmate of hers. The girls decided to go to a movie, and as the theatre filled up, they sat next to each other. Shy, Ron actually asked both girls out for coffee. They went and a few years later Louise and Ron were married in Weyburn Sask in the dead of winter, minus 30
A few more transfers later and the boys, Christopher and Lincoln, were both born in Chilliwack, BC.
Another transfer and the young family was off to Port Hardy in the days before paved roads. Logging roads were your only way in and out and logging trucks ruled the road. It was here that Ron and Rick Whyte worked together. Rick made many visits, driving from the coast to see Ron while he was dying. Ron enjoyed their time talking about the old days.
Cape Scott was in Ron’s district and its beauty blew him away. He felt it should be shared, so he put together the maps and paperwork recommending to Victoria that it be set aside as a park reserve. It became known as Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Port Hardy was a boat district which meant good fishing for Ron, Rick and the boys. After 3 years Ron was off to Ranger school. Louise and boys stayed in Port Hardy where Louise worked.
A few more transfers later and the family found themselves in Kamloops, but not for long, as Ron transferred to Blue River. Again, the boys and Louise stayed in Kamloops. Eventfully, Ron was transferred back to Kamloops where it was decided that this would be the last transfer.
Roots were established in Westsyde until Louise spotted her forever home, which at the time was a burned out wreck on Pine St. It took a full year to get it livable. Interest rates were 21 % .
It was Ron who actually started the Christmas lights tradition with his first string of lights in year 2 of the renos.
When dozens of oldtimers came to tell Ron and Louise the history of the house and what it meant to them to see lights; the tradition became Louise’s .
It was on Pine Street that Ron joined the Wine Club and the annual Christmas party for club was held there for many years.
Life changed 6 yrs ago when Ron was diagnosed with brain cancer. This obituary would not be complete without mentioning the Urgent Care Drs who were the ones to spot Rons cancer. (The ER Dr clinic that doesn’t exist anymore)
No words can begin to say how grateful Ron and I were for their caring and kindness in that first year.
Their good advise was well served in the struggles that lay ahead. Surgeries gave Ron more time but didn’t take the problem away.
The next step was Dr Proctor and the cancer clinic.
Louise will never forget the call, informing her that there were no more options for Ron. There was pain in her voice at the other end of the line. Such a real caring human being.
Ron set goals to strive for and the first was to live long enough to see the first female born on his side of the family in 100 years.
When great grand daughter, Lana Rose was born, their son, Lincoln drove to Kamloops to take Ron, north to meet the little princess. As expected Ron’s next goal was to get to her first birthday.
The roller coaster had begun. Ron was in Marjorie Willoughby a few times but always managed to “come alive again” only to crash. This went on until this Feb. 2021 when he went back to Hospice and never came out.
In between his dying/not dying, Lincoln and Ron had made the Burns Lake target shooting their father and son thing. Each year, Ron made his way there to compete. They in roped Richard Boyce to join them and he became Ron’s driver to Burns Lake. Last year was his last trip but was too sick to shoot.
On these drives, Ron and Richard had long talks about life. Later, in Hospice, Richard visited him almost daily where bond would serve both of them well
Dr Ruth Farren was his pallutive Dr and Ron holds the record of being her longest living dying person.!! He always looked forward to seeing her, even when she had to tell him that he could not drive anymore.
They say that it takes a village to raise a child but it also takes an even stronger village to help one die.
It was Ron’s request that every support person be mentioned in his obituary. Each day he would ask who called or texted and his face would light up.
Ron felt that he and Louise were so blessed to have a strong immediate neighbours who helped out every step of the way.
Our back yard neighbour, Louella and Dan for their kindness, my neighbour Heather Murdock for driving us to hospital when needed. The Crawfords for helping with decorations and anything that was needed. Lori and Medhi for the gallons of soup that they sent down for Ron. Penny Douglass for the baking that appeared at our doorstep every now and then. Louise’s friend Shirley Sydney did the same.
Carl, our neighbour and son his Aaron who came immediately when in Feb, the pipes burst in the Christmas storage area.
They pumped 2 ½ feet of water out along with the help of the Crawfords. The pumps worked for hours to drain the mess in -7 C temperature. Water destroyed so many decorations. Our old neighbour from Westsyde, Bonnie Juston listened to the ranting of the restoration process in late night texts; She was always Always full of encouragement.
A thanks you to the Palliative care nurses that came into his care that first Christmas day and right until he went into Hospice at the end. They made his journey much easier. Their caring is appreciated.
Ron insisted that Louise carry on with her daily hours at the Food Bank. The staff and volunteers rode the crisis to crisis ride with Ron illness but last Dec Ron got worse and he needed constant vigilance, so Louise had to stay home with him. Ron was very grateful to Maria, Brandi, Carol, Shannon, her mom, Gaby, Rene, Yovan, Christa, James and Aurora’s texts & calls.
A huge support came from Deiter, Mary and Nick of the New life Missions staff. Their kindness and encouragement was given to Louise, as she delivered food to them on her way home.
The Crossroads staff and some of the residents offered the same support to her.
Lyle Russet at Rivershore Auto who would always listen to the heavy stuff when it was needed.
Mary Rea RN, was the first person that Louise contacted for guidance about Ron. Mary has been with Marjorie Willoughby hospice since its inception.
With her came the support of Pam Leach from Flutterbuys, Pam from Hospice, Diane and the rest of the team, who were our constant support.
You all were her rock when Louise needed it most right to the day Ron died, as well in the weeks that followed. Ron took comfort in knowing that Louise could count on your support anytime, and for that she is eternally grateful.
To Mark and Maria Nichols. Mark volunteers at the Food Bank. When covid hit, he insisted that Louise take care of Ron and that he would do the grocery shopping for us.
He kindly catered to Ron’s every whim and he had many. Even in Hospice, Mark made sure that Ron had his grapes and oranges.
Ron always loved the calls and visits from Rick Howie. They would discuss symptoms etc and give each other encouragement.
To Darrel Falk, who stepped up to help with jobs that Ron always done and that Louise would have to learn to do. Darrel is a patient teacher when trying to teach a desperate Louise how to deal with mechanical stuff.
It was a comfort to Ron knowing that the house would function without him.
Thanks to Mike Hickett at Walmart Pharmacy. Ron and he had a forestry history together so it was very special for Ron to have him there to help him with meds etc. Mike always calmed him at every visit.
To Connie and staff at Interior Saving, who took a special interest when Ron got sick. Ron served on the board of Directors of the Credit Union for a number of years.
To all of those who came by at Christmas to wish us well and hoped that Ron would make it another year.
Louise still reads the cards and notes that were left.
To Leah and Bruce Jameson and their son Christian. You are always there for Louise in good times and bad.
To Barbara Murray for all the calls and texts in support of us as well as relaying messages from other former RCMP members we knew in the old days.
At their Grandsons request; a Fire service will be held for family in Tumbler Ridge, later in August, similar to the one held for their “other poppa” who died a few months before.
The rest of Ron’s ashes will be laid to rest in Pleasant St Cemetery at a later date. Ron picked out and designed his own tomb stone and wanted to be buried in our neighbourhood, near his and Louise’s home on Pine St..
Ronald was survived by his wife, Louise, and two sons, Lincoln and Christopher. Son Lincoln and wife Arla, grandson Robert Tyler and partner Jesse Masson, great grandson Maverick, and great grand daughter Lana Rose.
Grandson Rylan Lincoln, and partner, Megan Pendeleton, Eldest great grandson Tristen, and great grandson Emerson.
Son Christopher and wife Linda.
In Lieu of flowers etc. please do an act of kindness to someone in Ron’s memory.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ronald David Edward 1939 – 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ronald David Edward 1939 –..
Décès pour la Ville: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique