Ronald Jay Betts

Ronald J Betts, 75, passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease on October 2, 2021. He was born in Lebanon, Oregon on July 23, 1946 to Elmer Betts and Virginia (Briggs) and was a proud big brother to his little sister, Julie. The small family fished recreationally whenever able and Ron built a career as a commercial fisherman after returning from Vietnam where he served with distinction earning the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal before being honorably discharged to return to Oregon, the state he loved. He made a home for his former wife, Helen, and infant son, Andrew, on a portion of his family's land on Sheppard Point in Waldport, Oregon later raising his stepson, Jesse, there with his current spouse, Sharon. Ron owned and operated the F/V Liberty II for decades and built quite a reputation in every direction, but had to quit fishing when age and an old combat injury made sea life impossible. We thank the Lincoln County Veterans Service Officers for their assistance with making that transition easier. Ron enjoyed traveling the tropics happily swimming off South Pacific and Caribbean beaches and kicking tires on every fish boat he encountered often involving their captains and crew in discussions of local seafood and always talking up the merits of the Dungeness crab, salmon, and tuna off the Oregon coast. Alzheimer's disease began to shrink his world sometime around 2015. Many thanks go to his ladies from Aging Wisely over the last few years and most recently to the crew at Delta House at Oregon Veteran's Home in Lebanon who he loved and enjoyed, and the staff of Samaritan Evergreen Hospice who supported Ron, his OVH care staff and his family as he set out on his final voyage. Ron will be buried with honors at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon He is survived by his sister, Julie Shafer of Gleneden Beach, Oregon; his wife of 25 years, Sharon Scarborough of Waldport, Oregon; his stepson, Jesse Scarborough of Newport, Oregon; his son Andrew Betts (Tanesha) of Glendale, Arizona and his grandchildren River and Cason Betts. Ron keeps watch for his BRO’s of The Big Red One--Charlie Company, 2nd Bn, 18th Inf., 1st Infantry Division.