Ronald (Ron) Alan Magee, of Delta Junction, Alaska, passed away at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington the morning of April 28, 2022, at the age of 80.
Ron was born in Portland, Oregon on May 19, 1941, to Keith and Mary Ann (Smith) Magee Fry.
Being simpler times, Ron spent much of his youth riding his bicycle to fish local tributaries around Portland, but always found his way home in time for supper. Ron graduated from Portland’s Franklin High School in 1959, competing as a talented track and field sprinter and football player, and subsequently received letters of intent from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.
However, Ron elected to serve his country rather than pursue college at the time, and promptly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Pathfinder/Special Operator with the elite 1st Force Recon Company until 1964. Concluding his military service, Ron lived in the “Beach Cities” of Southern California, continuing to free dive in the Pacific Ocean and jump out of perfectly good airplanes for fun. He then moved on to serve as an officer of the peace for the Kittitas County Sherriff’s Department in Washington State, concurrently achieving his BA and Master’s Degree in Education from Central Washington University.
Ron found his calling as an Educator, and subsequently worked as a vocational counselor, teacher and coach in The Dalles Oregon, American Samoa, and Tacoma Washington school districts: and ultimately the great state of Alaska as a school administrator in Fort Yukon, Grayling, Stebbins, Bethel, and Delta Junction, before retiring in 2000. Ron deeply cared for the schools and the students where he served and took pride in always being the first to open the school doors in the morning and typically the last to leave. His elementary age students may remember him best by his gaudy, wide cartoon neck ties.
In retirement, Ron was content at his home on the Delta-Clearwater River, casting flies to rising grayling in the summer and hunting in the fall. He deeply valued the community of Delta and was associated with many local civic and volunteer groups, most notably serving as a lieutenant colonel with the Alaska State Defense Force. Above all else, Ron cherished his family and his friendships. He will be remembered for his unwavering love for and service to his country, community, students, friends, and family. His perpetual optimism, honesty and fair nature, witty sense of humor, and acceptance of all people based upon merit alone, are a rare combination by any standard. Ron truly fit the definition of “The Genuine Article,” and he will be missed.
Ron is preceded in death by parents Keith Magee and Mary Ann Magee Fry; stepparents Martin Fry and Marilynn Magee; sister Cherie; and brothers David and Joey. He is survived by his three children: Traci, Kevin, and Kellee; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters Marti and Betti.
A memorial service will be held at Delta Presbyterian Faith Lutheran Church, 1760 Richardson Highway, in Delta Junction, on June 18 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the church.
