On Oct. 4, 2016, Ronald Lee Florence passed away at Grays Harbor Community Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Ron was born in Sunnyside, Wash., on July 11, 1933. He attended schools in Port Angeles, Wash., Springfield, Ore., and Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen. Ron was married to Carolyn Florence for 60 wonderful years; they were married on July 21, 1956, in Richland, Wash.
He had a twenty-year career in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany, Taiwan, Korea and southern United States. During his career, for which he was very proud, he was a chief instructor in the Hawk Missile Radar System at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. While in Taiwan, he was attached to the U.S. Embassy, advising the Nationalist Chinese Army in the Hawk Radar system. After retirement from the Army in 1973, he moved the family the following year to Montesano, Wash. and worked for the Xerox Corporation as a Senior Customer Service Representative for the next twenty-one years enjoying a second retirement in 1994.
Ron was a member of the Masonic organization for many years, serving as Past Master of the Wynoochee Lodge, No. 43, and Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Montesano Chapter No. 21.
Ron and Carolyn joined the Airstream RV Association (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) in 1979. Through the years, he was President of the Washington Unit and President of Region 10. Ron and Carolyn travelled extensively, visiting all fifty states, nine provinces of Canada and twenty-three countries. He was a long-time member of the Montesano United Methodist Church singing in the choir and serving on the Board of Trustees. Ron, W7EEC, was actively involved with the Grays Harbor Amateur Radio Club until his cancer diagnosis. He served as President several years ago. In addition to being a HAM, he loved photography and traveling. For many years, he was involved with the Grays Harbor Emergency Services and was a Red Cross-CPR Instructor in Disaster Management.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Hugh and Gladys Florence, brother, Norman Florence, and stepbrother, Lawrence Wilson.
A loving family, wife, Carolyn, son, Terry L. Florence (Lori) of Elma, daughter, Lynda Boardman (Brian) of Montesano, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive him.
The remains were laid to rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Montesano United Methodist Church, Montesano. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montesano United Methodist Church, Montesano, Wash. or to the charity of your choosing.
