Ronald "Ron" PIPER II

1969 - 2025

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Ronald W. "Ron" Piper II, after a short illness. He was our son, brother, uncle, and a friend to many. Ron was born October 30, 1969, the firstborn child to Ronald W. and Sharon Piper. He was joined three years later by his twin sisters, Kelli and Tricia Piper. Ron was an absolute delight to his parents – good looking, smart, and well behaved. Just the greatest little kid. He grew up at the Piper Ranch in Elk, WA. As a child, he roamed the fields and forests of the ranch. He attended school at Riverside and completed all 12 grades there. Next came one semester at WSU and then he transferred to EWU to be closer to home. After several stops and starts, he earned his bachelor's degree, specializing in elementary school counseling. While attending EWU, he also moonlighted at several jobs including work at Arbor Crest Winery, Rocky Rococos, Luigies, and others. He made good friends at all of these places. After realizing that a bachelor's degree was not enough to secure a good job in his field, he returned to school at Whitworth University, where he earned his master's degree. His first job was in Kailua Kona, HI. After a year, he returned and worked for one year at Quincy Elementary. Then, for the last seven years he worked at Spokane School District 81 as counselor at Frances Scott Elementary.

As an 8-year-old, he and his best friends were taken to see the first Star Wars movie. He was hooked! He had a very generous father who began buying him every Star Wars action figure there was, and this was the start of a collection of all action figures and spaceships for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and all other science fiction movies. They number now in the thousands and are carefully kept in original boxes or displayed on nearly every surface of his home.

Ron made many good and dear friends in his life. He dined, attended concerts, and even traveled with them. After first forbidding us to notify his friends of his illness, he finally relented, and we were allowed to tell all of them that Ron was sick. Along with his immediate family, his friends began arriving to sit with him at the hospital and later at Hospice House. There was always someone at his side until his passing, and his family will be forever grateful to all who sat beside him. He passed knowing that he was loved.

Ron is survived by his mother, Sharon; sister, Kelli Piper (Fred); nephew, Tony Romish (Mellisa); and great-nephews, Camden and Reece Romish. Also, by many cousins in the Piper, Penna, and Bonner families. He was preceded by his father, Ronald W. Piper; and his beloved sister, Tricia Piper.

A graveside service will be held January 18, at Noon, at Holy Cross Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at Twigs, located at Division and Farwell Roads. All family and friends are invited to attend.