INGHAM, Ronald George

Ron passed away on May 12, 2021 in Colville, WA with Joanne, his wife of over 66 years by his side.  Ron was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be tremendously missed by all.  He will always be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, strong work ethic, and honesty.

Ron was born April 3, 1937 in the Stoke Newington Borough of London, England, the only child of George Robert Ingham and Anne Elizabeth Ingham (Herrington).  During World War II, Ron's father joined the Royal Air Force, while Ron and his mother remained in England.  He had many childhood memories of time spent in bomb shelters and playing in bombed out buildings during the War.  Ron's father died during the War, and after the War his mother married an American soldier, John Nelson.  The family then moved to Washington State when Ron was nine years old.

Ron married his true love and best friend Joanne Enyeart on October 8, 1954.  He joined the United States Air Force in April of 1955 and became an aircraft mechanic, eventually serving as crew chief on T-33 aircraft.  Following his honorable discharge in 1959, he moved his family to Springfield, Oregon, where he worked in the plywood mills there until they closed.  The family then moved to Ione, WA where he worked for the Pend Oreille Mine.  He also worked on the construction of Boundary Dam, plowing snow for Bockman Construction, and core drilling and road construction for Climax Uranium.  In 1968, he went to work for the Pend Oreille County Public Utility District, beginning a 27-year career that took him from a groundsman to apprentice, to lineman, and to ultimately become the line foreman for the north end crew.

Ron always liked to say his family came from "fine English stock". While he had a great deal of pride in his English heritage and family history (including his grandfather's service in WWI and his father's service in WWII), he was also a proud United States citizen.  He studied diligently for the citizenship exam, becoming naturalized in Newport, WA on May 17, 1965.  Ron was an avid student of history and always enjoyed discussing it with others. Ron's hobbies included building and flying model airplanes and woodworking.  He was an accomplished and creative woodworker, getting great pleasure from crafting treasured projects for family members that will bring many happy memories for years to come.

Ron was preceded in death by his son Brett, grandson Evan, and sister Suesanne Yeager.  He is survived by wife Joanne, brother Andy Nelson, sister Lorraine McCullum, daughter Elizabeth Field (Dudley), son Ronald Jr., son David (Hong), daughter Lynne Gardiner (Mike), daughter in-law Stacie Amasaki, 9 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

At Ron's request, there will be no memorial service.  There will be a celebration of Ron's life at a future date.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com