Ronald J. Howard of Humptulips, Wash. passed away surrounded by his family, after a short battle of cancer, on Nov. 13, 2017, at the age of 69. He was born on April 22, 1948, in Arlington, Wash. to the late Clyde and Doris (Hooper) Howard.

He was raised in Darrington, Wash., and then later moved to Sedro Woolley, Wash. with his family.

In 1965 Ron enlisted in the Navy, where he served in the Vietnam War on the USS Salisbury Sound. After returning from the Navy, Ron began his logging career which brought him to Gray’s Harbor County, where he was a well known shovel operator.

During retirement, Ron took great joy and pride in creating a home on the property he developed and sharing this with friends and family. He especially enjoyed teaching his granddaughters how to identify the tracks of animals, the trees he planted and most of all the accuracy in which he taught them to shoot.

He is survived by his daughter Leah and son-in-law Mitch Irons, two granddaughter’s Alysha Irons (Adam Mines) and Kayla Irons, nephew Blaine Howard Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Doris Howard, his brothers Blaine Howard and Jack Howard.

Services will be held at Coleman’s Mortuary in Hoquiam, Wash. on Dec. 9, at 11 a.m.

Ron’s final resting place will be in Darrington, Wash.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on line guest register at www.colemanmortuary.net.