Ronald Craig Bonham

Ronald Craig Bonham, age 68 of Gates, Oregon passed away on July 13, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his loved ones, who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. He was born on October 14, 1952, in Oregon City, Oregon to James Bonham and Betty L Bonham.Ron grew up with his sister, Connie in West Salem and graduated from McNary High School in 1970. Ron served his country for the first time, joining the Army right after high school. Being in the Army he was able to travel a lot and was blessed with his first daughter, Jory in 1973 while serving in Texas. He took a break from the Army and found his way back to Oregon and opened Ron’s High Country Sporting Goods store. He added a new addition to the family and had his one and only son, Jim Bonham in 1978 while living in The Dalles. He later sold his store and move to Salem, Oregon where he lived and had his last two children, Kara and Kelsey. Ron would reenlist in the Army in 1980 and would spend the next several years serving until retirement in 2001. In retirement he began to work again on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. He worked hard on the boat, he missed his children and he moved back to Oregon to be closer to them.He would find the love of his life, Judy in 2004 and they would marry in Dallas, Oregon. She was everything he was looking for in a companion. Over the next 10 years they would buy a travel trailer and were able to enjoy their life together traveling much of Oregon. They settled in Florence where Judy grew up and spent wonderful days fishing and living on the resort at the lake. In 2019 Ron got the worst news of his life when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. After his surgery they decided to move to Gates, Oregon to be closer to their children while Ron received his cancer treatments in Salem.2020 was a trying year, while still receiving cancer treatments, the wildfires hit, and they almost lost everything. Always keeping a positive outlook on life, over the years Ron would say “This Too Shall Pass” and he lived his life with that always on his mind. Besides fishing, Ron enjoyed hunting, camping, woodworking, softball and bowling.  His best days were spent outside. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Ron. He was a simple man with a heart of gold and after many months of cleaning up after the fires, he was able to enjoy the rest of his life with the people he loved the most. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and James Bonham. He is survived by his wife, Judy Bonham (Harpole); children, Jory Bradley, Jim Bonham, Kara Bonham, Kelsey Helms; sister, Connie Kriesel; grandchildren, Brendon, Sabrina, Dylon, Shelby, Jordan and Cloey. A celebration of life will be held on September 25, 2021, at 12:00 PM at 42764 Rogers Mountain Loop, Scio, OR, 97374.