Ronald Allen Speer, 74

Ronald Allen Speer, 74, of Columbia Falls, “went to be with the Lord” on Nov. 29, 2015, surrounded by family at the Montana Veterans Home.

Ronald served in United States Navy for four years. After finishing, Ron met Darlene Yarde in Kalispell. They were married July 1, 1967, and were married for 43 years when Darlene “went to be with the Lord.”

Ron became a licensed electrician and worked for Yarde Electric. He also worked as a prison counselor/social worker for many years at the Swan River Youth Forest Camp in Swan Lake. Ron and Darlene together accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized Jan. 21, 2007.

Ronald was a family man and loved to teach and spend time with his boys and many (so called adopted) boys. Ronald was an avid sportsman. He loved to hunt, fish, go camping and just be outdoors. In Ronald’s later years he really enjoyed his gaming. He could keep up with the best of them and, until a couple of days before he left this earth, he was playing tanks and racing games with his grandkids. Papa always had the latest and greatest in the gaming world. Ronald enjoyed playing many a card game with family and friends. He even taught his grandkids to play a mean game of cribbage.

Ronald was preceded in death by his father Alvin Speer, mother Wilma Jensen Speer, and wife Darlene Yarde Speer.

Ronald is survived by his sons, Clint Allen Speer of Kalispell, and Cory Travis Speer of Spirit Lake, Idaho; grandson, Andrew Allen Speer; and granddaughters, Morgan Michelle and Josie Elizabeth Speer.

Ronald impacted many hearts and lives, was loved cherished by so many that knew him.  He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell, with a reception to follow.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Ronald’s family.