Ronald Nathan Fillinger

Ronald Nathan Fillinger was born in Portland, Oregon, on November 28th, 1948, to parents Russell and Mary (Carter) Fillinger. He was one of five siblings. Ronald was brother to Bruce, Chris, Dave, and Judy. As a very young boy, Ronald and his family resided in Hawaii while his Father worked as a Civilian Technical Assistant to the Marine Corporation. When Ron was five or six years old, his family relocated to the Beaverton, Oregon area. Ron was raised in Beaverton and graduated from Sunset High School. He lettered on the riflery team. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army, 1st Infantry Division, D battery, 1st battalion, 5th artillery. He was wounded in Vietnam, taking a shrapnel wound to the chest. Ron returned to combat following recuperation from his injury, and he was later honorably discharged as a Sergeant after four years of service. Ron attended P.C.C. where he studied history.

Ron met the love of his life, Delynn (Lynn) Shaw in 1973. She worked at a convenience store owned by her father in Portland, Or. Ron made many trips to that store to buy cigarettes and Pepsi and visit with Lynn. She was 16, he was 23. Their courtship was brief. Lynn graduated from high school at the age of 17 as Mrs. Ronald Fillinger. The two were married in Beaverton on June 29th 1976 on a day so hot that their wedding cake melted. From their union came two daughters, Cherise and Andrea (Annie).

As a young father and husband, Ron worked as an Electrician and he also served as a volunteer fire fighter and EMT in North Plains, Oregon. In 1982, Ron began his own business venture, Allied Electric. For the next 30 years, Ron operated as an electrical contractor in Washington County, forging countless special, genuine, relationships along the way. It has been said that Ron "turned every job into a friendship".

Outside of his work world, Ron pursued his love for shooting sports and for literature; if Ron didn’t have a firearm in his hand, it was one of Heinlen’s novels. Ron volunteered his time and expertise to the Tri County Gun Club (TCGC) and he was instrumental in many facility improvements and upgrades to TCGC. He also volunteered as a shooting coach for the Boy Scouts and the U.S. Marines. When his daughters Cherise and Annie were in 4-H Club, Ron served as a coach for the riflery club. Ron volunteered his time and took great pleasure in playing the role of "bad guy" in mock hostage and conflict training for the Washington County S.W.A.T. team. He collected guns, attended gun shows, and took part in shooting tournaments; a highlight being placing 1st at the Soldier of Fortune Machine gun competition in 1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ron’s favorite science fiction authors include Andre Norton, Robert Heinlein, Travis Taylor, and David Webber. His devotion to the genre can be seen amongst five bookshelves and countless piles of books.

Ron was known by family and friends as the "go-to-guy". Though his area of expertise was in the electrical arena, he was extremely knowledgeable in the areas of construction, demolition, remodeling, and home maintenance. In 1994, the family home on Old Cornelius Pass burnt down. Ron rebuilt the home on that property and did everything himself with the help of his many friends. When his daughters respectively purchased their own homes, Ron devoted his time, expertise, and countless hours to help make homes out of those houses. He will be remembered as a person who was generous with his time and loyal to his family and friends.

Four years ago, Ron was dealt a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and later was given the specific diagnosis of neuroendocrine cancer (which afforded him a little more time than the original diagnosis). Aware of his numbered days, Ron made the very most of them. He took full advantage of his opportunity to see and do many things and to spend quality time with his family. He traveled to Washington D.C., New York City, Hawaii, France, England, Scotland, and the Bahamas just to name a few destinations. This year, he attended the reunion of the First Infantry Division in Kansas. It was a very memorable time for him and the other veterans. He was part of the planning committee and looked forward to attending the event in 2013.

As his illness progressed in the last few weeks, and he was hospitalized, Ron was blessed with numerous special visits from family and friends and though his body was tired, Ron's spirit soared. He was so happy to be supported and loved by so many. Last week, Ron went home and under the care of Providence Hospice. In addition to hospice, Ron was lovingly and attentively cared for by his Brother-in-law’s Sister, Marilynn Ubik, in his final days at home. Ron passed away peacefully in his home in the early Morning, Friday, November 16th, 2012. Ron, you were a loving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, and you will be missed by all.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Delynn; father, Russell and step-mother, Claire Fillinger; mother, Mary Carter; daughters Cherise Fillinger and Andrea "Annie" Fillinger; son-in-laws Matt Provencher and Paul Blachly; brothers Bruce, Chris, and Dave Fillinger; sister Judy Kelso; his two-and-a-half year old grandchild Beaumont Blachly.

A celebration of Ron's life will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, November, 28th, 2012, at 2pm. He will receive military honors and be privately laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley, Oregon.

Please visit Ron's Internet memorial and online guestbook at www.skylinememorialgardens.com

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation (http://www.caringforcarcinoid.org).