Ronald Ronnie Albert McCammant

Ronald Albert McCammant went to heaven on March 17, 2017 with his family by his side at home. Born March 22, 1935 to Mary Jane (Wood) McCammant and Albert (Pete) McCammant at home with a dirt floor in Sandpoint, Idaho.

His earliest memories were of foster homes, in Wisconsin, where he began milking cows by hand at the age of four. At 16 he had to quit school to go to work on a farm for his room and board only, and never missed a milking in 3 years.

At 19 he enlisted in the Army, serving in Korea and France. In Korea he worked as a heavy equipment operator building airstrips and in France on high tower tram tension lines that hauled cargo from ship to shore. He had a National Defense service medal and an MM Badge (carbine). While in Korea, he became ill which finally led to multiple surgeries and eventually VA disability. He endured many life threatening surgeries over the years with great determination and mental strength, going back to hard work many times just days after being released from the hospital.

In 1957 he met his love Sylvia in April and married her in December; living and loving together for 59 years. They went on to have 5 Daughters, Colleen (David Bellows), Irish Alana McCammant (Brent Wright), Sheila (Steve Fryer), Laurie (Brad Mitchell), and Charlene (Mike Bradley) who dearly loved him, and were the delight, pride and joy of his life. He had 10 Grandchildren, Steven, Philip, Paul, Carol, Keith, Sarah, Donovan, Katie, Patrick, and Shane; and 13 Great-Grandchildren Matthew, Ava, Brayden, Brielle, Mason, Autumn Landon, Carter, Nitan, Hope, Evelynn, Ella Grace, and Lincoln. His nephew, David McCammant, was like a son to him.

He said his favorite vacations were visiting his children. He gave his mom flowers every year on his birthday, and his wife carnations every week for years.

He enjoyed hunting when his health allowed, being on a tractor, discing, plowing, roto-tilling, brush hogging etc., and later in life playing poker with friends. He could always figure math problems faster in his head than most could on their calculators, and he had an astounding memory for dates of historical events. He loved Bingo, Yahtzee, and Dominos in his spare time and Fox News in full doses. He excelled at bowling, receiving many cash awards, patches and pins. And in his prime, few if any could beat him at horseshoes.

He won awards for top salesman in different fields.

He always faced the adversities in his life with determination and grit. It really was uphill both ways for many of the early years of his childhood, but his resilience gave him the strength he needed to keep pushing forward till his body finally said no more.

He is survived by his Wife, Sylvia; 3 Sisters, Beverly Fox, Betty Painter, Ila Foss; and 3 Brothers, Robert McCammant, Duane McCammant, and Leroy King. He is preceded in death by his Father, Albert (Pete) McCammant; Mother, Mary Jane King; Step-Father, Leroy King; and Sister, Janice Moline.

Memorial Service is March 25th at Yelm Prairie Christian Center at 1:00 pm with Viewing at 12:30 pm.