Ronald E. Staley

About

San Jose State University

Ronald Staley Obituary

Ronald E. Staley
April 10, 1926 - Dec. 23, 2013
Resident of Aptos
Ronald Staley passed away on December 23, 2013, leaving his wife Elsie after 64 years of marriage, plus the previous 5 years of "going steady". He died peacefully after less than one day in Dominican Hospital. He was 87 years old. Ron came to Watsonville High School after graduating from San Jose State University, taking the position of basketball coach and teacher. Eventually he became a counselor, dean of students and vice principal, retiring after 36 years. Besides his career in Watsonville, he returned to Turlock, his birthplace, every summer for 10 years, conducting the city swim program for 1000 students each summer. When sons Loren and Brian were ages 14 and 12 he started Staley's Swim Ranch in Aptos as a make work project for them to save money for college. After 44 years he closed the business and retired again. The school has taught thousands of children to swim, sometimes the second and third generations.
After retirement from Watsonville High, Ron and Elsie traveled most of the world, including all the states except North Dakota. They traveled across Canada, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Some of those trips came about from traveling with the Watsonville Band, cruising and driving thousands of miles and even a house exchange in Horsham, England. They went to many educational Elderhostels (Road Scholar), and Dixieland Jazz festivals. Ron and Elsie always loved dancing to the famous big bands during the war years and more recently the Sea and Tree Dance Club of Santa Cruz and Pendangos in Monterey. For years they have been regulars at the Santa Cruz Symphony, the Cabrillo Theater productions, as well as those at Monterey Peninsula College Theater. He loved working outdoors, growing flowers around the pool, and teaching or supervising his swim school.
Ron has been a longtime member of the Aptos Community United Methodist Church, California School Administrators (president), and SIRS of Watsonville. He leaves sons Loren and Brian (Anna) of Aptos and grandchildren Kristen and Tim Staley, both of Grass Valley, and Matthew Staley of Granite Bay.
Private services for friends and family will be held on Sunday, February, 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the Aptos Community Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 p.m. at Aptos Seascape Golf Course for all who wish to celebrate and pay tribute to Ron's life. Any donations may be made to Watsonville High Foundation, 250 E. Beach S., Watsonville CA 95076 or the Cabrillo College Foundation, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA 95003.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jan. 12, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Staley

6 Entries

Mary Dixon

February 7, 2014

I can just see Ron teaching swimming in his next life with no worries of sunburn or cancer. I loved my time with my daughters and then granddaughters sitting at the pool watching them learn how to swim. Staley Family and friends: May all your good memories keep you going in this time of sadness.

February 5, 2014

We started going together and graduated in 1953
from Watsonville Hi. It was a far easier, more laid-
back time....and every one pretty much knew everyone else in school. Teachers were liked and
respected...no one more than Mr. Staley. A fine
person always, it would be impossible to count the
number of lives on which he had a positive effect
through the years - including ours. We missed them at our 60th reunion last year...but will always
remember the "good old days" and the special
teachers who started us on our way.
Our very best to all his family, who shared him with
the community for so many years.
The Crandalls.....Bettie (Eustice) and Jim
Dan, Don, & Debbie
(Aptos, Ca)

sara

January 15, 2014

I will always remember Mr. Staley. I was 4 when he taught me how to swim. By the time I was done, I was a little fish and no body could get me out of the water. I went on to swim for county teams for almost 10 years. Thanks Mr. Staley!
Sending my condolences and prayers to his family.

Terri Barger

January 13, 2014

May you rest in heaven and add your spark for life to a new star in the night sky for all to gaze at for all eternity, may it shine as bright and brilliant as the man and bring quiet grace as this adoring father and loving husband brought to his life and family and to me when i had the privedge of being his daughter in law , may this star have the same lifeforce that touched many lives and who no one will soon forget. In remembrance to Mr. Ronald Staley, hero to all those he helped become better men and women. To Elsie, sons Loren and Brian all my sympathy and courage during the coming days ,this time of grief.

Leslie Resetar

January 12, 2014

Mr Staley was the one that had finally taught me how to swim,after many lessons elsewhere.He was also the principal at our hs. RIP MR STALEY

Leon Costello

January 12, 2014

Ron was one of the best coaches,teacher and friend from Watsonville High School. My sympathies to Mrs. Staley and Loren and Brian. Leon Costello

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results