April 27, 1934 - March 29, 2017

Husband, brother, father and grandfather ~ we will miss him deeply

            Ronald Lester Shea passed away peacefully at his place of residence on March 29th, 2017. Ron is survived by his wife Dorothy, sister Doris Kenyon (husband Richard) and two daughter’s, Leslie Shea-Brinkman (husband Mark, children Lindsay, Nathan and Joel Brinkman) Jennifer Shea-Bianchi(Husband Edward), children Christine Tribou(husband Chris, children, Alyse and Madelyn), Heather, Michael and Emily Abernethy.

            Ron was born on April 27, 1934 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, He graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a fine arts degree and was recruited by the Boeing company to come to Seattle in 1956. He worked as a drafter and engineer in Customer coordination and configuration. He helped design the bathrooms of the 747, helping in the design of the king of Saudia Arabia’s private plane in the 70’s, he also worked with designing the galley layout of the 767 and seating arrangements. Ron had the opportunity to travel for Boeing to various countries ( Japan, India, Africa, Australia) with the design team and meet with customers, something he enjoyed doing very much.

            Ron met Dorothy DeForest in Seattle and were married in 1961. After having their two daughters they moved to Whidbey Island in 1972 where they resided for many years in both Langley and Clinton. After retirement in 1994 Ron volunteered with the citizens on patrol program through the Island County Sheriffs dept. He loved the opportunity to serve the public in this capacity. Wood work and gardening were some of his interests, you could always find him sitting in a lawn chair soaking up the sun reading a book after a day’s work in the yard. Ron enjoyed visits with his grandchildren and watching them grow up, he was blessed to be able to see his two great grandchildren before he passed.

            Ron had a dry and witty sense of humor which everyone enjoyed. Growing up his daughters remember every time they left the house their dad saying “call me when you get there, and wear a sweater.” It got to be a family joke as the years went on. What a lot of people do not know about Ron was his love for children, he taught Sunday school to 2 and 3 year olds and had a little horse puppet he would use to communicate with them, they loved him. People who knew him outside of church would have never guessed he spent his Sunday mornings with these little kids telling stories and teaching about Jesus. He attended the South Whidbey Assembly of God church for many years and supported missions at his church, he contributed to both of his granddaughter’s mission tips. Ron requested that if there are any donations that they be given to the South Whidbey Assembly of God mission fund. We will miss him deeply but have good memories of the times we had together.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A private memorial service will be held with the immediate family.

DONATIONS

Ron requested that if there are any donations that they be given to the South Whidbey Assembly of God mission fund. Please see donation link below.