Ronald "Ron" York

Ronald "Ron" York passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Alpine Way in Shelton, WA and is now in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. He was born March 1, 1946 in Flint, Michigan to Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Ellen York. When he was twelve years old his family moved to Santa Cruz, CA.

Ron joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in April of 1963 as a junior then after graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1964 he was called to active duty in August. He was deployed in early 1965 to serve in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Midway as an Electricians Mate, and later again on the USS Hornet in 1966. Ron was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in April of 1969. He married the love of his life, Belinda (Blackburn) York on December 2, 1967 in Santa Cruz, CA where they had three children.

After the military he became an Electrical Apprentice and finally completed his training and became a Journeyman Electrician in June of 1970. He worked for various contractors in Santa Cruz, CA before moving his family to Shelton, WA in 1978.

Over the years he worked as an electrician then finally retired from the electrical trade in the late 1990's. He went into sales where he sold anything from Slick 50 to Fire Starters to knives. He was an avid outdoorsman with a love for hunting and fishing or anything outdoors. He loved to spend his free time taking his grandkids either fishing for salmon on the Skokomish River, trout fishing and hunting for animals and berries. He landed his dream retirement job at Cabela's in the late 2000's where he became known as "Reloading Ron" because of his knowledge of reloading ammunition. He then fully retired in 2013.

Ron was survived by his three children Michael (Michelle) York of Union, Matthew (Katie) York of Winlock, and Sarah (Stephen) Smotherman of Union; grandchildren Joanna Smotherman, Alyssa (Nick) Campbell, Brent (Brittany) Smotherman, Drew (Hailey) York, Zach York, Wade (Lili) Smotherman, Seth York, Richie and Josie York; and four great-grandchildren Everett Campbell, Alaia Campbell, Easton Smotherman, Casey Smotherman and Bryce York; sister Pam (Marlin) Royston, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Belinda York, grandchild Chloe York, and great-grandchild Taylen York, two sisters, and his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Shelton Bible Baptist Church in Shelton, WA.