Ronnie Ford

Ronald “Ronnie” Leon Ford was born on April 14, 1947, in Turner, Oregon to Ollie Jane (Parris) and Ellis Earl Ford. Ronnie attended Central High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 1968 and was discharged in 1970. While enlisted he received his GED. He reenlisted in 1972 and was honorably discharged in 1974.

Throughout his life he had many different careers. In his younger years he worked as a mechanic and at an autobody shop. He was a personal lines insurance agent and insurance adjuster for a while. He spent some time working as a lineman and operating heavy equipment. He spent many years working all aspects of the logging industry doing everything from falling trees to operating and maintaining all the logging equipment. Later, he became a millwright where he spent time maintaining and remodeling mills.

Ronnie spent over 20 years traveling for work in Oregon, Washington, California, South Carolina and even spent some time in Germany while enlisted. He lived in Monmouth, the Oregon Coast, Lebanon and Corvallis. He also lived in Alaska.

He was a jack of all trades with a lifetime of experience. He enjoyed bringing home scrap cars and sifting through junk yards. He enjoyed searching for gold and rocks and then polishing them. He enjoyed being out in nature, camping, fishing or just watching the clouds in the sky. He enjoyed carving pieces of wood he would find. He also enjoyed reading. If someone needed home repairs or work on their car, he was always the first to offer help and rarely accepted anything as payment. He was always willing to share his knowledge. He enjoyed working with his hands. He really enjoyed spending time with family and loved ones.

Ronnie passed away on November 23, 2022, in Albany, Oregon after a short battle with lung, brain and bone cancer. Just like he dealt with experiences in life, Ronnie managed his illness with strength and grace, and wanted to spend as much time as possible with his loved ones. He loved God and was very open of where he was going in his last days. He loved having conversations about Heaven and was always openly sharing his faith. Every time someone would come into his hospital room and ask how he was doing he would tell them where he was going.

He was preceded in death by his Father Ellis and his Mother Ollie. His Brothers Buddy, Earl, Merlin, Marvin, Melvin, Harvey and twin sisters Earley May and Audrey Fay. He is survived by his children, Andriea & Wesley Oshel and Matthew & Sasha Ford; Sisters Patty and Waunda; Grandchildren Jakub, Ashliegh, Kelsie, Trenton and Ben and Great Granddaughter Carter.

A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 21st at 1 pm at Santiam Chapel Assembly of God in Lyons. His ashes will be buried at Fairview Cemetery in Gates.