A lifelong resident, retired iconic Lewiston-Clarkston Valley gentleman car salesman, beloved husband, Dad, Papa, Great Papi and friend; Mr. Ronald Bradbury Walker peacefully went to heaven on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at the Royal Plaza Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Walker was just two months shy of his 90th birthday before passing away from natural causes.
Born in Lewiston just before the Great Depression, Ron grew up knowing the meaning and importance of putting in a hard day's work. His parents, Roscoe and Alice, owned and operated a family grocery store business on the corner of 18th Street and Grelle Avenue in the Orchards. His dad also worked full time for the Union Pacific Railroad for a staggering 57 years.
As a boy, Ron loved riding his bike and climbing the tall sycamore trees that lined his family's large, manicured yard. At the ripe old age of 13, he was hired to drive a school bus in the Orchards, taking other kids and himself to and from school. The bus was owned by his uncle, Don Chapin. Ron developed a love of sports that started in his youth and carried on throughout his life. His favorite sport was baseball, and he played it in high school and American Legion. He graduated in 1944 from Lewiston High School.
Ron then went and played for a semi-pro baseball team called the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League in Eugene, Ore. He was a right-handed pitcher for them and once pitched a perfect game. He also had a couple games that were close to no-hitters. He played alongside some talented "ballers" who went on to the majors. He eventually returned to Lewiston, but still played ball on local teams in the L-C Valley.
Ron was first married in 1943 to Mable Jenkins, but later divorced. They had three children, Ron, Pam and Sandy.
Ron married Vera LaVonne Delaney-Miesen in 1963, and they were still united until his recent passing. They were married for just shy of 53 years. Vera had two sons, John and Rob, from a previous marriage. Then together, Ron and Vera had two sons, Brian and Michael. They became known as the "Brady Bunch" family.
Ron eventually took over the family grocery, meat and clothing store businesses in the 1950s called Walker's Market and Walker's Meat Lockers, but then the large grocery store chains came to town. They went out of business in 1959.
Ron also worked at Nez Perce Tractor in the early 1950s, and then went to work at Lewiston Motors selling cars from 1960 to 1964. Then he moved to Thompson Chrysler, but when Bob Pennick bought the dealership he offered Ron a partnership in that dealership. He worked at Bob Pennick Chrysler-Plymouth from 1966 to 1976, until they sold the dealership. Then in 1977, Rich Rogers offered Ron a senior sales position at Rogers Motors. Ron accepted and quickly became the No. 1 salesman there and went on to win numerous Northwest sales achievement awards throughout his tenure. He was truly a "gentleman salesman" and his handshake and word were "his bond." He always wore a suit and tie and his professionalism, character and honesty helped propel him to have an impeccable sales record and an extremely loyal client base of repeat customers. Ron remained with Rogers until he retired in 1992 - and so bringing to an end an amazing and unblemished sales career.
Ron and Vera acquired several homes throughout Lewiston as rentals. Their rental business kept them both busy for 56 years and helped teach their children about investments, remodeling and maintaining a home. Ron was also an avid landscaper, and with his wife and sons they all kept up the family's four large manicured lawns, pasture, orchards, rose and vegetable gardens.
Ron always said he felt better when he was outside busy mowing and taking care of the home that he built for his family in 1968.
Ron loved to travel. He frequently took his family on long road trips across the nation. He loved to drive places and take lots and lots of pictures, sometimes even revisiting a place twice within two days, but only because he forgot to put film in his 35 mm camera.
Ron loved Hawaii and took Vera there 10 times. But his most favorite place to take Vera and his family was to the Oregon coast. They shared a lifetime of memories and amazing sunsets there.
Ron was also a talented bowler. He bowled weekly on teams and traveled with some great friends to many tournaments over the years. He actually bowled five perfect games of 300 over his tenure.
He played competitive handball and taught his boys how to play. They liked going with him to the Elks Lodge and hitting the ball around together.
Ron's favorite college teams were the Idaho Vandals (football and basketball) and he was a season ticket holder and booster; the Lewis-Clark State College Warriors (baseball) and was also a season and World Series ticket holder and booster; and he liked the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team.
Ron's favorite professional teams were the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and the Boston Celtics.
He taught his boys how to play baseball and how to pitch and even built them a mound in the "big yard." Ron would go out before and after work to have a catch with his sons. He showed them how to throw several different types of pitches, especially his famous knuckle ball. His grandkids also loved having a catch with their Papa ("Cousin").
Ron loved to sing the national anthem at sporting events. You could hear him and sometimes even over the anthem or singer. He did have a great voice and often performed at weddings. He even once recorded a song at KRLC.
He belonged to the Orchards Kiwanis, the Clarkston Moose Lodge and he was a life member of the Lewiston Elks No. 893 Lodge.
Ron loved his family, extended family and daughter-in-laws: Lori, Sue, Becky, and Diva. But, he dearly and deeply loved Vera, his soulmate. They shared nearly 53 years of marriage and memories together. They loved going out dancing and did it often and very well. Ron had a tradition of giving his bride cards with a rose somewhere on them; he never failed and always found one.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Vera LaVonne Walker; five sons, Ron B. Walker, John L. Miesen, Rob D. Miesen, Brian K. Walker and Michael R. Walker; and two daughters, Pam L. Walker and Sandra L. Walker; four nephews, Dwight Chapin, Gary Walker, Neil Felton and Alan Felton; two nieces, Marian Klemm and Judy Bundy-Townsend; and many cousins; plus 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe Conklin Walker and Alice Mae Bradbury; his brother, Prentice Walker; two sisters, Lucille Chapin and Thelma Felton; and a niece, Janet Jolley.
A public memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. this Saturday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Ron's family suggests donations be made to the Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter and/or Meals On Wheels, both organizations Ron and Vera have supported over the years.
Ron, Dad, Papa and Papi will be deeply, dearly and sorely missed, but we will see him again someday in heaven. He will always be loved.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, January 30, 2:00 PM
- Location
-
Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
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Lewiston, ID 83501
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