Ronald L. “Ron” Fear of Hermiston died on Sept. 11, 2017 in Hermiston at the age of 75.
He was born on April 29, 1942 in Denver, Colo., to Roy and Nancy “Billy” Buck Fear, where he was raised with four sisters and a brother.
He left school after eighth grade to help support his family by driving a mail truck. He always loved sports, especially football, and never missed a game of his beloved Denver Broncos. He even played semi-professional football for 2 years in the AFL. While in Denver he worked for Union Pacific railroad, then became a traveling vacuum salesman. In 1974 he moved to the Hermiston area, where he eventually opened his own store, Ron’s Sew Vac Center, which he owned and operated for many years. Ron was united in marriage to Kathryn “Kathy” Sinor on April 2, 1983 in Hermiston, Oregon.
Ron was always looking for an adventure and his passion for hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and anything outdoors started when he was a boy and continued throughout his life. As a devoted family man he shared his passion with all. He instilled his love of the outdoors in his family and friends in countless weekends spent camping on the river filled with fishing and water skiing. He was everyone’s favorite uncle and made every outing fun, exciting, and full of laughter. He proudly became a professional fisherman and competed in numerous fishing tournaments. He qualified for the Cabela’s National Team Championship three years running, where he was sponsored by Ranger boats. He also loved to garden and was particularly fond of Dahlias, roses, and fuchsia’s and was proud of the cantaloupe, peaches, and tomatoes that he grew in abundance.
Ron’s heart and home were always open to those in need. His Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree were always surrounded by friends, family, and anyone he came across that didn’t have anywhere else to go. He played a prominent role in local service organizations, rising to the role of District Director in the Jaycees and Past Master in the Masonic Lodge, and was a member of the Hermiston Rotary Club.
How do you say goodbye to a man who changed so many lives and brought so much joy and happiness into this world? His spirit lives on through the memories of all whose lives he touched.
He is survived by his daughters: Ginger Florence (Richard), Wendi Fisher, Karen Martien (Dinesh), April Numerick (Chad); sisters: JoAnn Bishop, Sharon Stapleton, Jerry Valentin; grandchildren: Stephanie, Hunter, Kylee, JJ, Tyler, Lane, Sherwood, Ryan, Sierra, Devin, Ryan, Kyle, Ella, Miranda; great granddaughter: Addison; numerous nieces and nephews; and Kathy Wilcox and Jackie Thibodeau.
Ron was preceded in death by his wife: Kathy Fear; mother: Nancy “Billy” Terry; father: Roy Fear; a son: Donny Leavitt; a granddaughter: Lanai Leavitt; a sister: Gayle Smith; and his brother: Gary Fear.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
Ron and I knew each other from our Jaycee days in our 30’s. A solid friend…a positive thinker. He would amaze me with his stories about his professional fishing experiences. He will be missed.
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