Ron Belair
April 27, 1955 - November 12, 2022
Ron Belair, 67, a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandpa, and friend to everyone he met, died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Mill Creek, Washington, on November 12, 2022, following a short brave battle with brain cancer. He was the youngest of three boys born on April 27, 1955, to Henry and Jeanne Belair in Kennewick, Washington.
He attended Washington State University, where he met the love of his life, Shannon Talcott, in 1979. After graduation, they married in 1983 and moved to Seattle to start their family and careers. Ron spent 20 years as a mailman for USPS. During his time there, he always held a walking route and knew every person and dog on a first-name basis. He retired in 2017 to a quieter life, enjoying family, hiking with Shannon, gardening, walking the dogs, basketball and pickleball.
Ron was a friend to everyone he met and found great purpose in sharing the successes, joys, and challenges of those around him. He had a quiet, unassuming, humble, and patient personality that put everyone else first. He was authentically and wholeheartedly “present” for those in his life, especially his wife, children and grandchildren; whom he quietly adored.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Randy, his son, Evan, and their many senior rescue dogs. He is survived by his devoted wife, Shannon, and their son, Connor, his wife, Kimberly, and their two children, Charlotte and Annabelle; brother, Roger; and his wife, Candace. One of Ron’s greatest joys was being a dad to Connor and Evan, whom he was very proud of.
In lieu of a memorial service, Ron wanted family and friends to celebrate his life by getting outside; play a game of pickleball, hike, walk the dog or enjoy lunch with loved ones. He chose, in life and in death, that the attention is not focused on him but rather that those he loved should focus on each other.
While his brain may have failed in the last month, his spirit and body were stubbornly strong. Ron donated his brain to the University of Washington Medical Center so others may live from the learnings of his cancer. This sacrifice, in the name of others, made Ron special in life and death.
Shannon and Connor are forever grateful to family and friends for their invaluable support and for surrounding Ron in love and light throughout his life and the last month.
DONATIONS
Because of Ron’s deep love for their senior rescue dogs, each of whom gave him and Shannon unconditional love and enriched their lives, we would be honored to have donations made to Rompin Paws Rescue in the name of Ron Belair.