September 14, 1928 – October 5, 2021
Ronald Joseph Shearer, 93, passed away on October 5, 2021, at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, after living most of his life in Forks, Washington. He loved the town to which his parents, Daniel E. and Katheryn (Pankey) Shearer moved to in 1915.
After graduating from Forks High School in 1947, Ron attended Western Washington College in Bellingham for parts of 3 years.
It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Louse Thomas. Moving to Forks, they raised three children, Susan, Linda, and Daniel.
He loved the outdoors, being a lifelong hunter, fisherman, clam digger, and one not to miss a chance to get out and explore. Better than any of these activities, was a chance to share them with a friend or relative. He made time to take kids fishing, beachcombing, and family camping trips, visiting coasts, mountains, and many National Parks. His hunting and fishing locally were often successful, with his trips further afield often epic in nature, lasting a week or more. These were fun-filled times, with lots of stories, and meat, coming home as well. Later, his love of travel took him to many places around the world with family and friends.
Ron enjoyed people and had many friends over his lifetime. Visiting and playing a game of pinochle or cribbage was always a welcome pastime. The family accused him of running a “cribbage trap line”, as he would make the rounds of visitation which almost always included playing cribbage, and maybe winning a dollar or two.
He worked at a variety of jobs in his earlier years. Road construction, logging, and owning and operating a log truck gave way to becoming a telephone installer/repairman for Peninsula Telegraph and Telephone, which later became CenturyTel. Working there he became friends with many of his co-workers. Retiring after 24 years, allowed him to pursue other interests besides his activities with the Masonic Lodge and Lions Club. He served on the Clallam County Board of Equalization for many years, while earlier he served on the Forks City Council and volunteered for the Forks Fire Department. One of his favorite projects was helping Lonnie Archibald interview people for some of Lonnie’s books. Again, showing his love of people and their stories. He loved hearing and telling stories, jokes and having a good time.
Ron and Marge were honored to be Forks Pioneers for the Forks Fourth of July one year and he was an Honored Alumni Football Player at a Spartan Homecoming Game.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years, Marjorie, brothers Kirkland and Reed Shearer, son Daniel Shearer and grandson Jesse Peterson. He is survived by daughters Susan Payne of LaPush, Linda (Stan) Peterson of Forks, grandchildren Nels Peterson of Gig Harbor, Jordan (Teresa) Peterson of University Place, Megan (Josh) Dillard of Columbus, OH, Danielle Shearer of Columbus, OH, great-grandchildren Cadence Dillard, Emery Dillard, Fionna Peterson, Caroline Peterson, and John Peterson, and the memories of his many friends.
Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11 AM at the Forks Congregational Church, 280 Spartan Ave, Forks, WA.
