Ronald Almon Vail, 100, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025. Born on May 20, 1925, in Anchor, Illinois, Ron lived in a remarkable century marked by devoted service to his country, a loving family, and a life well-lived. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Ron enlisted in the United States Navy at
just 17 years old during World War II, beginning a distinguished 25-year career that would also see him serve during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired with the rank of Commander, having answered his nation's call in times of great need.
Ron met the love of his life, Lois (Reeves), in Oahu, Hawaii, where he was serving as an Ensign at Wahiawa Naval Communications Station and she was working as an RN at Kahuku Plantation Hospital. They married in 1948, 11 years before Hawaii achieved statehood, beginning a devoted partnership that would span 73 years.
Ron's active duty Navy career would lead to stations from the Marshall Islands, China, and Hawaii during WWII to Washington DC, New York, Rhode Island, California, Guam and Maryland. He served on Communications Stations that were responsible for the transmission of secure communications that leapfrogged from one giant antenna field (jokingly referred to as the "dinosaur cage") to the next around the world, before the digital age and satellite communications replaced the ground-based hardware.
His naval career took him across the seas and provided him with experiences he later chronicled in his book, "Fair Winds and Following Seas," a testament to his love of storytelling and his years of service. His dedication to the Navy inspired a legacy of service, with both his son David Vail and daughter Phyllis Suiter following in his footsteps and retiring as Navy officers. He also inspired his grand daughter Michelle Taylor to go into the Navy out of high school as he himself had once done. Ron's last station was at the 11th Naval District Headquarters in San Diego before he retired.
After retiring from the Navy, Ron, Lois and family remained in the San Diego area, settling in Alpine where they made their home for 47 years, before moving to the Escondido area. Ron embarked on a second career as a Certified Financial Planner, helping others secure their futures with the same dedication he brought to everything he did.
Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois, who passed on July 21, 2021, and by his daughter Pamela Vail in 1998. He is survived by his son David (Mary) Vail; his four daughters: Phyllis (William) Suiter, Cheron Vail, Beckey (Rick) Cejas, and Bonnie (Jim Fortin) Vail; six grandchildren, Matt (Emily) Suiter, Sean Vail, Michelle (Terry) Taylor, Ashley (Mike) Lopez, Russell (Lisa) Fortin and John Fortin; and ten great-grandchildren; Merrick, Reef and Kirra Suiter, Austin and David Lopez, Leilani and Billie Taylor, Max and Jacob (Caitlin) Fortin, and Nathaniel Gardner.
A man who cherished family, Ron delighted in gathering loved ones around the table for spirited games of poker, Oh Hell, and pinochle, creating memories filled with laughter and friendly competition. Ron's century of life was celebrated by a large lively crowd of family and friends in San Marcos, CA, followed a week later by a trip to Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, which was always his and Lois' favorite vacation place. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
just 17 years old during World War II, beginning a distinguished 25-year career that would also see him serve during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired with the rank of Commander, having answered his nation's call in times of great need.
Ron met the love of his life, Lois (Reeves), in Oahu, Hawaii, where he was serving as an Ensign at Wahiawa Naval Communications Station and she was working as an RN at Kahuku Plantation Hospital. They married in 1948, 11 years before Hawaii achieved statehood, beginning a devoted partnership that would span 73 years.
Ron's active duty Navy career would lead to stations from the Marshall Islands, China, and Hawaii during WWII to Washington DC, New York, Rhode Island, California, Guam and Maryland. He served on Communications Stations that were responsible for the transmission of secure communications that leapfrogged from one giant antenna field (jokingly referred to as the "dinosaur cage") to the next around the world, before the digital age and satellite communications replaced the ground-based hardware.
His naval career took him across the seas and provided him with experiences he later chronicled in his book, "Fair Winds and Following Seas," a testament to his love of storytelling and his years of service. His dedication to the Navy inspired a legacy of service, with both his son David Vail and daughter Phyllis Suiter following in his footsteps and retiring as Navy officers. He also inspired his grand daughter Michelle Taylor to go into the Navy out of high school as he himself had once done. Ron's last station was at the 11th Naval District Headquarters in San Diego before he retired.
After retiring from the Navy, Ron, Lois and family remained in the San Diego area, settling in Alpine where they made their home for 47 years, before moving to the Escondido area. Ron embarked on a second career as a Certified Financial Planner, helping others secure their futures with the same dedication he brought to everything he did.
Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois, who passed on July 21, 2021, and by his daughter Pamela Vail in 1998. He is survived by his son David (Mary) Vail; his four daughters: Phyllis (William) Suiter, Cheron Vail, Beckey (Rick) Cejas, and Bonnie (Jim Fortin) Vail; six grandchildren, Matt (Emily) Suiter, Sean Vail, Michelle (Terry) Taylor, Ashley (Mike) Lopez, Russell (Lisa) Fortin and John Fortin; and ten great-grandchildren; Merrick, Reef and Kirra Suiter, Austin and David Lopez, Leilani and Billie Taylor, Max and Jacob (Caitlin) Fortin, and Nathaniel Gardner.
A man who cherished family, Ron delighted in gathering loved ones around the table for spirited games of poker, Oh Hell, and pinochle, creating memories filled with laughter and friendly competition. Ron's century of life was celebrated by a large lively crowd of family and friends in San Marcos, CA, followed a week later by a trip to Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, which was always his and Lois' favorite vacation place. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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