Ronald Lou Hope

1937 - 2022

Meridian - Ronald Lou Hope, 84, of Meridian, Idaho, died Aug. 19 at the Meridian Meadows Transitional Care facility. He was born Nov. 16, 1937, in Emmett, Idaho, to Angus and Margaret Hope.

He attended Emmett High School, where he met his future wife, Sonya Baker. They married in 1956, and had four children. He worked at the Boise Payette Lumber Co. sawmill in Emmett, while also serving in the National Guard. In total, his military service lasted almost 15 years.

Meanwhile, he worked for the Dixon Paper Co. in Boise, before moving to Spokane as a salesman for Boise Cascade. In 1974, he transferred to Boise Cascade's Portland office, where he oversaw timber and lumber sales and shipments to more than 20 countries. He then transferred to Boise in 1985. In 1987, he joined with 18 others to form the BMC West Building Materials Centers, where he organized and managed the commodity wood products buying office. He retired in 1999.

He and Sonya spent their retirement years traveling with friends and family to the desert and mountains of Idaho, including unforgettable backpacking trips to the Sawtooths. He also enjoyed fishing and crabbing with family on the Oregon Coast.

In his earlier years, he belonged to DeMolay, the Emmett Jaycees, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, and helped organize the Emmett Little League baseball program. He was committee chairman of the Emmett High School class of 1956 reunions.

In later years, Ron and Sonya volunteered with United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho, and with Alcoholics Anonymous at Boise's women's correctional center. They celebrated 65 years of marriage on April 20, 2021.

Sonya died in Meridian on Nov. 9, 2021. Ron also was preceded in death by his oldest son, Michael, and his brother Terry. He is survived by daughters Holly Hope (Ken Sands) and Cathi Mercer (Stewart); son Martin Hope (Lisa); grandchildren Jill and Grant Mercer, Connor and Kerry Sands, Ian and Clair Hope, and Jordan, Kelly and Taylor Hope; great-granddaughter McKenzie; sister Lillian Watkins; and brother George "Tim" Hope.

Bowman Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. A private family memorial is pending.