Ronald Lee Anderson

Ronald Lee Anderson, 74, of Yakima died on Sunday August 25, 2024 at home with his loving wife by his side. Ron was born on October 5, 1949 in Sunnyside, WA to Daniel Smith and Evelyn May (Perrin) Anderson. He was one of five children. They moved to a cabin in the woods of Snoqualmie, a cabin with no electricity or running water. The family moved from there to Carnation then Issaquah then returned to the lower Yakima Valley, Sunnyside, Mabton and Grandview. He graduated from Mabton high school in 1968. Ron moved to Yakima and worked at Keeler’s Medical Supply for several years. He became interested in real estate in the 90’s. He married Mary Jane Baumgarten in February of 2001. Ron had worked for several firms before he and Mary founded Dedicated Realty in 2010. They ran Dedicated and made great partners, Ron and Mary enjoyed helping people buy and sell homes and commercial properties.

After a long career in real estate, Ron ran for County Commissioner for District 2 in 2016 He served as a Yakima County Commissioner from January 2017 to December 2022 and was active on many committees. He volunteered as an ambassador for the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. He also served as president of the Mill Creek Park Imagineering Foundation.

After retiring, Ron became busy; he started his own business of NW Consulting. He worked on the Martin Luther King Pool and Camp Hope, at Camp Prime Time, served on the Board for Habitat for Humanity, and was involved in PNW University. Community involvement was not just volunteer work for Ron, it was required work.

For recreation he had many hobbies and loves. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker, summiting Mt Adams several times. Ron enjoyed photography especially nature. He was often seen at 5:00 AM walking through his neighborhood. He was looking forward to many woodworking projects, and had just purchased a welder to try something new. He truly loved the time he spent with his wife, Mary Jane.

His parents and sisters Betty and Lilly preceded Ron in death. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Jane, son Matt Anderson, his daughter Maria Anderson, sisters Carol Cox and Iva Cornelius along with many cousins and relatives of the Anderson, Perrin and Bednar clans and many lifelong friends. Ron and Mary had just hosted a family reunion at their home last month.

A time for visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 11.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the Stone Church at 3303 Englewood Ave on Thursday, September 12, at 11:00.

Memorials are suggested to Camp Hope or Martin Luther King Pool in Ron’s name. To leave a memory for the family please visit keithandkeith.com.