Rolland Ron J. Waterhouse Sr.

Rolland James Waterhouse Sr. who went by the nickname of “Ron” celebrated his 84th birthday on Sunday June 22, 2014 by going to Heaven. His family misses him greatly already but his children, grandchildren and their spouses, his sister, nieces, and his sister-in-law we were all present and holding his hands when he "left the building" (Yes, he liked Elvis). He only liked John "The Duke" Wayne better. Dad, we kept our promise....We will see you soon.

Ron was born in Portland, Oregon the second of three children born to Orval and Nan (Coe) Waterhouse. He lived in Portland and the surrounding area most of his life. His father was a “home-mission preacher”. We call these pastors “bi-vocational” now because they work another job while they are pastoring. His dad’s trade was working as an electrician. Ron’s father worked changing many of Portland’s gas lights into the new-fangled electric versions. Ron was particularly close to his sister, Donna who was 22-month older than him. His younger sister, Bonnie, was born when he was 12 years old. Ron was also a “Western Union” bike messenger riding the hills of The Dalles, Oregon at the age of 16.

Ron attended Portland’s Cleveland High School among others before graduating from Westport High School in 1949. His high school claim-to-fame was breaking his ankle in the championship football game his senior year. The local hometown doctor was so into the game, he told Ron it was only a sprain and to sit down on the bench. Ron broke the same ankle two more times in his adult life and eventually had his ankle fused.

Although his father was pastoring in Westport Oregon, Ron went to Astoria Church of the Nazarene for the local NYPS (Nazarene Young People’s Society) where he met his future bride, Daisy Wikoff.

Ron’s first date with Daisy was after his graduation and he married her six-months later on December 22, 1949. The next year, their daughter Margaret or “Peggy Lou” was born in Tillamook, Oregon. Still in Tillamook about three years later, they were expecting another child and they went to visit Daisy’s parents in Weiser Idaho. The pregnancy became high risk and Daisy could not return home. Ron got a job in Weiser just before going back to Tillamook to get their things. Ron always disliked his given name of Rolland but he named their son, the same name. Rolland J Waterhouse Jr. was nicknamed “Jim”.

Ron liked to say it took him four years to save up enough money to get out of

Weiser. He moved his growing family to Portland Oregon in 1958. Once in Portland, he entered an electrical apprenticeship program just weeks before his 28th birthday to meet the enrollment requirement. He graduated from his apprenticeship program in June 1962. The next year, their youngest son, Rick was born. Ron wanted another child however, Daisy didn’t think he was serious; besides Daisy thought her child bearing days were behind her – surprise.

Ron and Daisy helped four of Daisy’s siblings and her niece get their start in Portland. They all lived with the family. Ron and Daisy always had room for one more. They become foster parents and cared for over 65 children during their tenure.

Ron and Daisy moved frequently and lived in Burns, Oregon as well as both Beaverton and Hillsboro.

When they retired, they returned to Portland. They attended Mt. Scott Church of the Nazarene (now known as Southeast Portland Community Church). This is the same church he attended as a child.

Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Daisy and their three children (and spouses): Peggy Lou Hulse-Morgan of LaPine, Oregon, Jim and his wife Meri of Olympia, WA and Rick and his wife Donna of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; six grandchildren: R. James Waterhouse III (Jayme), Sara Chapirson, Amy Fernandez, Arlinda Johnson, Blake Waterhouse and Chauntae Waterhouse; and nine great grandchildren: James, Olivia Kaydence, Rylin and Alec Waterhouse, Abi and Eli Chapirson; Jeremiah and Hannah Johnson. Ron is also survived by his sister, Donna and her three daughters, Dee and Cyndi Reames, and Shirley DeWolf; three sisters-in-law and their spouses, Nellie (Wikoff) and Dale Towne, June (Wikoff) and Roger Payne, Sharon (Wikoff) and Arlen Keup; and three brothers-in-law and their spouses, Dean Wikoff, Joe and MaryAnn Wikoff, David and Kaethe Wikoff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Nan (Coe) Waterhouse, his sister Bonnie (Waterhouse) Matzler, and a grandson, Billy Ray Hulse.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014 at 10:00 am at Lincoln Memorial, 11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086.