Ron Ethridge

James Ronald “Ron” Ethridge was born May 26^th, 1948, in Columbus, Georgia to James “Aldon” Ethridge and LaTrelle Lanier Ethridge. His childhood was spent moving with his parents and brother, Roger “Rocky” Ethridge, to many locations for his father’s work as an Army Civil Service Chief Ammunition Inspector. Time was spent in Funuoka, Japan, Boerne, TX, Ankara, Turkey, Sidney, NE, Herlong, CA, and finally, Anchorage, AK. Ron graduated from high school in Anchorage in 1966, starting work with the Alaska Railroad shortly thereafter. He met Marcia Sandblom, the sister of his parents’ neighbors, and fell in love. He joined the Marine Corps around this time and ultimately landed on the USMC training base in Twentynine Palms, California, where he married Marcia, May 10^th, 1968. They would have celebrated their 55^th wedding Anniversary this year. February 6^th, 1969, they had their daughter, Lanie. After serving his 4 years working on Hawk Missiles during the Vietnam era, he and his little family left to rejoin civilian life, settling in Spokane, WA near Marcia’s family. His desire was to become a law enforcement officer, and while he waited for an opportunity, he worked for American Sterilizer and Royal Office Equipment. His chance came when Spokane was prepping for the arrival of Expo ‘74 and the Spokane Sheriff’s Department was hiring. He was hired in September, 1973. This was the start of a 30-year career which included receiving his Associate Degree in law enforcement, work in patrol, and boat patrol. He took the Detectives test and received his promotion, first working in Crimes Against People. After a period of time, he took the Sergeant’s test, receiving his next promotion. He was a Training Sergeant, then moved back into Detectives, serving as the Sergeant for ISU (Drug Unit), SAU (Sexual Assault), and finally, a brief time in Internal Affairs. He retired in March 2004. Ron was known for his sense of humor, good insight, and reliability. He was immensely proud of his daughter, Lanie, who became a nurse, often telling people he had let her practice IV starts on him. Lanie, being an only daughter, was luckily enough of a tomboy to be eager to participate and learn even “boy stuff”– wood cutting in the fall, camping, fishing, etc. Ultimately, with a little help, Ron, Marcia, and Lanie had a very active part building their dream cabin near Cusick, WA on Tacoma Creek, in 1985. In 1992, Peter Mason was officially added to the family as Lanie’s husband, having met Dad Ron’s requirement of “find me a big boy with muscles”. Over the years, they became close, working together on the cabin, property, and other do-it-yourself projects. In June 1996, Granddaughter Carlee came along, and Ron could not have been a prouder Grandpa. After Ron’s retirement, he and Marcia did some traveling and continued to enjoy the cabin, some occasional fishing and camping, and being a part of their Granddaughter’s life. Ron’s health started to deteriorate, and he has not been able to be as active the last few years. Ron is survived by his wife Marcia, daughter Lanie Mason, son-in-law Peter Mason, Granddaughter Carlee Mason, his brother Roger Ethridge (Marty), and several nieces and nephews.

No services planned. We will have a family and friends celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Spokane Humane Society or SCRAPS.