Ronald Walton Long

Nov. 15, 1938 - July 5, 2026

Ron was born in Long Beach, California where his father was serving in the U.S. Navy. He and his mom and dad moved to Honolulu where his dad was stationed at Pearl Harbor. In December 1941, his dad shipped out immediately and Ron and his mother were put on the second evacuation ship back to Seattle.

Ron grew up in Seattle and had a grandpa, grandma, five aunts and one uncle. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1956 then served his country in the U.S Naval Air. When he was discharged, he went through the Seattle Fire Department School but didn't become a fire fighter because he knew that the hours and shift changes would be too hard on his social life!! (We have shared this story with several of the wonderful and dedicated medics who have been to our house so very many times these past few years.)

He worked at Boeing and then attended the University of Washington for a time. In 1966, he went to work on the Seattle waterfront and, shortly after, joined the international Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 52 from which he retired in 2002. He was a very proud member of his Union.

Ron was loved by many people and was an incredibly generous man, loaded with such compassion for people and animals. He was just a very good man. He is survived by JoAnne, his loving wife of 54 years and by his sons, Mike, Mark; daughter-in-law, Kelley; his dear granddaughter, Primrose who he always called his ladybug. Also, his cousins, Donna, Vicky and Sophia. He was blessed to have Mari, a very kind and loving full-time caregiver the last 6 months of his life. Ron will be terribly missed.