Ronald Jay Ford, 74

Ronald Jay Ford, 74, passed away Dec. 13, 2004, in his home in Ronan after a brief battle with cancer.

Ronald was the first child of Lester Wilson and Mary Ellen (Leighty) Ford. He was born on May 29, 1930, in Kalispell. His childhood was spent on farms in the upper Flathead Valley of northwest Montana. He attended rural schools, graduating from Deer Park School in 1945. He attended Flathead County High School briefly.

Ronald served in the U.S. Army from March 1, 1948, to Nov. 21, 1952. He was stationed at Fort Ord, Calif., Ft Riley, Kan., Japan, and served in the Korean War. He was wounded in action on his 21st birthday. He received the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Combat Infantryman's Badge, Korean Service Medal with five bronze service stars, and the Purple Heart.

Ronald was married to Joyce Marie Hoagland on Feb. 16, 1952, in Kalispell.

After spending 11 years in the San Francisco Bay area of California, Ronald returned to the Flathead Valley in 1964. In 1967, he started working for the Plum Creek Timber Co. plywood mill in Columbia Falls, where he remained employed for the next 27 years with no time lost to accidents.

After returning to Montana, he lived near Columbia Falls and in or near Kalispell. He retired in 1994 and moved to Lake County.

Ronald was preceded in death by two sons, Steven in 1955, and Leonard in 1976; a grandson, Jason, in 1979; his father in 1978; his mother in 1985; and his sister, Virginia Lomnicky, in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, of Ronan; a brother, Oren Ford, of Columbia Falls; two sisters, Veda Engebretson of Whitefish, and Pearl Williams of Rohnert Park, Calif.; three children, Lester Ford of Columbia Falls, Deborah Ford of Billings, and Lyle Ford of

Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Michelle, Jesse, Daniel, Crystal and Andrew Ford.

Ronald enjoyed traveling, mountain biking and walking. He was instrumental in planning both family and school reunions. He spent 30 years doing genealogical research on his family history and volunteered for several years at the LDS family history library in Polson. He also generously supported the Mission Valley Animal Shelter.

Cremation has taken place. No services are planned at Ronald's request. Donations may be made to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1644, Polson, MT 59860, or the Lake County Home Health and Hospice, 711 Main St. SW, Ronan, MT 59864.

Shrider's Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements