Ronnie Gale Wilkinson: Sept. 23, 1945 – Oct. 17, 2016

Ron Wilkinson died in Coupeville on Oct. 17, 2016, after a five month’s long battle to recover from injuries he suffered as a Good Samaritan attempting to intervene in a domestic violence incident.

Born in Yakima, Wash., Ron was the son of Hobert Wilkinson and Dorothy King Wilkinson, who had emigrated from Arkansas to Washington during World War II and were apple growers in the Yakima Valley.

He grew up in Cowiche and graduated from Highland High School. Ron studied history at the University of Washington, earning a bachelor’s degree. He was a member of the Upsilon Chapter of Theta Xi Fraternity where he held several offices.

After a long career at the State of Washington, Department of Labor &Industries, Ron retired to Whidbey Island in 2000. He was active in community service organizations, and was a member of Beach Watchers; a docent at Admiralty Head Lighthouse; served on the Board of the Island County Historical Museum; worked with NW Bloodworks; and was precinct committee officer of his political party. Ron had just been elected second Vice District Governor of District 19H of Lions Clubs International, comprising 45 Lions clubs in Washington and British Columbia. Ron was passionate about serving in Lions and was determined to get well and get started on a year of visiting and serving. Clearly, he was taken too soon.

Cards may be addressed to the Wilkinson family, 89187 Manion Drive, Warrenton, OR 97146. Memorial donations in Ron’s name may be made to any of the organizations mentioned above, or, at the family’s suggestion, to MD19 Lions Memorial Garden, 4141 West Maplewood Ave., Bellingham, WA 98226.

Ron enjoyed traveling, pinochle, bridge, art, walking, crosswords, cooking, cruises and his pets. Mostly, he just loved visiting with people. He is survived by his brother H. Dale Wilkinson and his wife Pat of Warrenton, Ore.; aunt Belle Brown of Tieton, Wash.; aunts Ruth Hill and Ruth Wilkinson both of Yakima; his niece Barbara Wilkinson of Moses Lake; three nephews, Richard (Kitty) Wilkinson of Montesano, Wash., Robert (Jill) Wilkinson of Yelm and Curtis (Mary) Wilkinson of Warden; and numerous cousins, great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of Careage of Whidbey for their excellent care. Thanks to Ron’s Lions’ friends for all they did to help in dozens of ways. Additionally, our special thanks to Dennis and Susan Bullock, Joey Egbert, Kristine Smith, Ginny Munn, Rick and Diana Walti, Cameron Chandler and Jim Dunn for everything you did to support Ron. You were his village.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 Alexander St., with refreshments following. An additional memorial for family and friends in the Yakima Valley will be held in the spring.