Ronald Milton Moyer

Ronald Milton Moyer
Born: February 10, 1941
Died: March 18, 2022


Ronald Milton Moyer passed away on March 18, 2022, in Seattle, Washington at the age of 81 with his wife and family by his side. Those who knew Ron will never forget the delightful and devious twinkle in his eyes as he good-naturedly teased and played with friends, family, strangers, almost anyone, but mostly with his grandchildren. He was a people person - always kind, caring, and friendly no matter where he went, whether it was next door, across the country, or around the world. And while the years took a toll on his body, they never dimmed his spirit. His sense of humor, devotion to his family, and amazing skills at Cribbage will be missed by all.

Ron was born February 10th, 1941 in Nampa, Idaho. He was the youngest of three children (brother Larry and sister Karla) of Harold and Alene (Arnold) Moyer. Ron graduated from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, Washington in 1959 and married his high school sweetheart, Genevieve (Hansen), on January 16, 1960. He was a loving and devoted husband for 62 years. He and Genevieve lived in Grays Harbor until his retirement in 1998, after which they moved to Bainbridge Island.

Ron and Genevieve had three children all of whom are married and live in Western Washington, Ronald D. & Elizabeth (Daly) Moyer, Kristin M. & Richard Barr, and Richard L. & Amy (Bale) Moyer. Ron had a knack for welcoming new members to the family and treating them as his own children. When he became a grandpa, he proudly sported a vanity license plate proclaiming he was the #1 Papa. More than most anything else, he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids Kyla Barr, Rebecca Moyer, Nathan Moyer, Colin Moyer, Kaitlyn Barr Miller, Andrew Moyer and Catherine Moyer, and he reveled in their lives and achievements. In his final months, he was blessed to laugh and play with his first great-grandchild, James Miller IV.

Some of Ron’s most memorable years were spent with his young family on a small farm out the East Hoquiam Road where they raised animals, gardened, and were active in the local East Hoquiam Roadrunners 4-H club. The Moyers were known for their huge 4th of July celebrations complete with roasted pig, contests for kids, and fireworks down by the river. Ron loved retelling stories of the misadventures of farm life and of his beloved collie, Shannon. After the kids were grown, he and Genevieve left the farm, and Ron continued to dote on his adored pets, Mabel the basset hound, and a succession of cats.

Ron was a social butterfly; he loved making new friends, old and young. Ron had good friends on the Harbor, Chuck Veloni from high school, and Chuck Harders from their time out the East Hoquiam Road. Ron particularly enjoyed spending time with Ken and Judy Wilson and traveling with Bruce and Charlotte Hansen. Later on Bainbridge, Ron and Genevieve often socialized with Ron’s exercise group, friends from the Bainbridge Island Senior Club, and the Bainbridge Island Photo Club. He greatly enjoyed the company of neighbors Brad and Helen Waggoner.

Besides socializing, Ron enjoyed traveling, including camping trips and infamous family road trips across the west, and later in life visiting Europe and Mexico. Above all other places, he loved Hawaii. He and Genevieve vacationed there frequently in retirement and, together, they introduced their children and grandchildren to the magic of the Hawaiian islands. From the time he was young, he also loved cars - the faster and flashier, the better. His first car was a 1947 two-door coop with lighted wheels, 4 on the floor. This proved troublesome so he retrofitted, took out the 4 on the floor, and made room for girls to sit close. For many years, he and Genevieve zipped along in their red Nissan 360 Z, t-top.

Ron was always a hard worker. As a child in Kelso, he had his own paper route, and when the family moved to Cosmopolis, he got a job as a box boy at Swanson’s Grocery and helped at Jones’ Photos. After graduating high school, he started working on the railway loading dock at the Weyerhaeuser pulp mill in Cosmopolis. He drove forklifts and later worked in the freight office organizing shipments.

Ron loved retirement, and if it had not been for the onset of muscular dystrophy he would have enjoyed it even more. Despite his failing legs, he still traveled, made and maintained friendships, played with his grandchildren, mowed a vast expanse of lawn, munched on popcorn while he read and watched Westerns, played Angry Birds on his iPad, completed countless puzzles (no thanks to his feline helpers), and did the dishes, all with good humor and that twinkle in his eyes.

Above all else, Ron will be remembered as a devoted husband, a consummate family man, and as someone who saw hard times and chose to find the joy in life. His kindness, resilience, and jolly demeanor will continue to live on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, long after him.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.