Ronald Spangle

Ronald Douglas Spangle

(1947 to 2024)

Ronald Douglas Spangle died on 21 September 2024 at Avalon Care Center, Spokane, after a short illness with undiagnosed colon cancer. He was 77 years of age.

Ron was born on June 25, 1947 to Velma and Claude Spangle in Kootenai, Idaho, population 199. He was the brother of Donalee Spangle Blaine, two years his senior. His father Claude owned-and-operated a small grocery store called the Stop-and-Shop where the family lived behind the storefront. Ron attended Kootenai grade school. At age 12, his father died unexpectedly, and the family moved to Spokane. Ron graduated from Shadle Park high School in 1960. Upon graduation, Ron joined the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA34). He was stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Viet Nam war, when the carrier suffered a large-scale fire that killed 44 and injured 156 more.

Following his military service, Ron returned to Spokane where he worked in quality control and manufacturing at Able Fabricators, Key Tronic, and Johnson Matthey. Upon his retirement 1996, Ron focused on his photography hobby preferring 35 mm slides as his medium.

Ron was known for his good humor and gentle ways, always speaking respectfully of others. Quick to relate a funny experience, he reported that his greatest challenge in life was figuring out how to use a cell phone.

Ron never married and had no children, but delighted in the progress of his niece, Erin Pacol and her two children. Ron is survived by his close family brother-in-law Roger Blaine of Corvallis, OR, niece Erin Pacol, of Kennesaw, GA, and two grandnieces Makayla Pacol of Kennesaw, Ga, and Jocelyn Pacol of Bradenton, FL.

Deeply honored by his Navy service, Ron will be buried in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery near Medical Lake.