Ronald "Ron" Roy King

July 18, 1944- June 2, 2017

Ron was born in Tacoma on July 18, 1944 to Dr. Clarence and Lillian Beckes King on their 13th Wedding Anniversary. When he was 2, the family moved to Grandview where his father opened a dental practice after the war. They bought a 10 ½ acre Cherry, Pear and Grape orchard and leased it out to the neighbor. Ron spent many an hour working on the ranch.

Ron graduated from Grandview High School in 1962. Some of his achievements during his high school were that he was a 12 sport letterman. In the spring he would run on Tuesdays and pitch on Fridays. He was a member of the National Honor Society and in his senior year, he was chosen as the first chair Coronet Soloist in All State Band. This earned him seven advanced credits to Washington State College (now WSU).

There were two bumpy periods in Ron's life, one when his mother died of pancreatic cancer 11 days before high school graduation and his father dying of a heart attack 18 days after he got into college that fall. The other was the year his oldest son Kevin Eugene was killed in a car accident.

Ron was active in college. He played in the WSU Band, participated in an 18 piece dance band that played for campus parties and events at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. He was active in Sigma Delta Chi, the National Professional Journalism Fraternity, was elected President of the local chapter and also served as a member of the National Freedom of Information Committee. He was active in Alpha Epsilon Rho, the National Professional Honorary Radio and Television Fraternity and was elected President of the local chapter and also as National Vice President. After obtaining his degree in Communications, he worked on a Masters Degree in Organizational Development at Central Washington State College in Ellensburg.

Ron had a 57 year career in the Radio Business. He started at age 15 at KARY in Prosser weekends and summers on the air. He worked at KWSU Radio and Television in Pullman during college. After college he came to Yakima and started at KIT AM & FM in sales. He worked at KCBS Radio in San Francisco for two years before returning to Yakima as Sales Manager for KIT and KA TS. He went to work for KUT/KXDD in 1985 and was still with the same company. Ron was nominated for the Radio Advertising Bureau's Radio Ink Magazine as "Street Fighter of the Year" Award (Top Salesperson of the Year in the United States) in 2001,2002 and 2003. He was a Top 10 finalist each year. Ron also was awarded two designations by the Radio Advertising Bureau, CRMC (Certified Radio Marketing Consultant) and MRM (Manager of Radio Marketing).

Ron had a passion for his community. He was a past member of the Yakima Jaycees. He was involved with the March of Dimes. He was President of the Montessori School Board. He was a member of the Visitors and Convention Bureau and participated on their board. He was on the board of United Way campaigns. He was a board member of the Fort Simcoe Council or the Boy Scouts of America. He was on the board of the Central Washington Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was a co-founder and first President of the Yakima Advertising Federation. He was a co-founder and first President of the Yakima Radio Broadcasters Association. He coached little league baseball. He was a member of the American Softball Association and the United States Slowpitch Softball Association. For 20 years he organized and ran up to 11 weekend tournaments annually. He is a past President of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and served on their board on two separate occasions. He was a graduate of Leadership Yakima's first class and was the session leader of the Communications Session for 15 years. He was on the board of the Yakima County Development Association/New Vision. He was a member and past member of the board of the Downtown Yakima Rotary Club. He was a member of the Washington State Centennial Summer Games committee. He was a member of the Central Washington University Yakima Center Advisory Board. He served for 13 years as a member and two as President of the Yakima Specialties Board and served one year as President of the Foundation Board. He was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Ron was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and he and Sharren were the Deacon Moderators for 7 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Eugene and Lillian Dorothy Beckes King and his oldest son Kevin. Ron is survived by his loving wife Sharren, his son Darren King, daughter Danette (Ray) Valdez, son Tony (Laura) Aukerman and daughter Arminda (Scott) Svoboda; grandchildren Kallie and Kira King, Daylann Reynolds, Razier Valdez, Joree Freeman, Morgan Freeman, Paige Aukerman, and Alana Svoboda.

Memorial Services are set for Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church.

To share a memory of Ron please visit www.keithandkeith.com