Ronald Raymond Sturtz was born Aug. 12, 1940, and died Dec. 29, 2018, at the age of 78 years.
Ron was born to Florence and Donald Sturtz of Custer, the third of five children. He grew up in Lynden and graduated in the Lynden High School class of 1959. Ron entered the Air National Guard. He married Josephine and they had two children, Greg and Lisa. In 1980 he married Patricia and her daughters, Debra and Wendy, a blended family. Ron was a truck driver and really enjoyed his career, which ended when he retired from D.L. Duckey Auto Freight out of Seattle in the mid 1990s. He was then able to devote the majority of his time to his woodworking hobby.
After Ron and Pat retired, they did a lot of traveling with their fifth-wheel and truck, a 4-door one-ton dualie “Big Red.” They saw a lot of the United States. They visited friends in Taipai, Taiwan, and Bejing, China, seeing the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. They were invited to visit Okinawa by their niece and nephew stationed there at the Air Force base. These were fantastic trips, with so much history involved. Ron loved every minute, except the long plane rides.
Ron was preceded in death by both his parents and two older brothers, Richard and Lewis.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; son Greg of Kent; daughter Lisa of Everett; daughter Debra (Scott) Gramstad of Marysville, and daughter Wendy (Craig) Conklin of Everett; also sisters Shirley (Don) Woods and Sharon (David) Shores and sister-in-law Leona Sturtz. They were blessed with six grandchildren: Casandra, Spencer, Kaitlyn, Conner, Colby and McKenzie; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ron was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Everett, Golden Campers Good Sam R.V. Club and the Lake Stevens Lions Club. Ron was a very kind and loving man. If you wish to make a donation, Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice in Ron’s name would be appreciated.
We say a special thanks for the care he received at The Terraces Memory Care Facility in Everett.
A memorial service to celebrate Ron’s life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, in Faith Lutheran Church, 6708 Cady Rd., Everett.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Common Sense Cremation, Everett.
