ROLAND HULBURT          

            Roland “Ron” Hulburt, 71, passed away on April 26, surrounded by his loving friends and daughter, following his courageous battle with cancer.

            Ron was born July 30, 1944, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Roy and Lillie Hulburt.  His family settled in Kiona-Benton City, where he spent most of his youth.  As a young man, he and his family owned and operated Hulburt's Dairy.  Ron also served in the Air National Guard of Washington.

            In 1967, Ron married Jan Montgomery.  Although the marriage did not last, their shared love and devotion to their daughter, and their mutual respect for each other, resulted in a lifetime friendship and business partnership.  Jan and her husband, Wayne McCall, later cared for Ron in their home following his cancer surgeries and treatments.

            Ron moved to Salinas, California, and worked at Firestone Tire as a maintenance mechanic for many years.  When the Firestone plant closed, Ron returned to the Tri-Cities and opened the Coffee Nook Restaurant with Jan McCall.  Ron made the best breakfasts, lunches, and burgers in town, and the Coffee Nook amassed a loyal following.  To the sadness of many customers and “regulars”, Ron retired from the restaurant business, selling the Coffee Nook in September 1997.

            Ron remained busy in his retirement; he was an avid walker, taking many hikes on trails around the area, often with his brother, Raymond.  He enjoyed camping and the outdoors, and grew the best vegetables and beans in his garden.  He enjoyed trips to Northern Quest, Wildhorse, the Oregon Coast, and many other places with his friends, and loved to play with his grandchildren and spend time with his family.   He regularly met with other retirees at the Richland Community Center, where politics were discussed and the world's problems were solved.  Ron was a loyal, caring, hard-working man with a great sense of humor, who loved - and was dearly loved by - his daughter, grandchildren, and friends.  He will be deeply missed. 

            Ron is survived by his daughter Kris Payne (Greg); grandchildren Emma and Sam; brothers Raymond Hulburt (Sandra) and Roy Hulburt (Susan) and their families; best friends Wayne & Jan McCall, and his “adopted” little sister, Jeannie Saporito.

We would like to express our gratitude to the nurses and nursing assistants from The Chaplaincy for providing support, kindness, and gentle care in Ron's final days.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice at The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St., Richland, WA 99352 or http://tricitieschaplaincy.org/donating/make-a-donation/.

            Family, friends, and acquaintances are invited to a celebration of Ron's life at the Richland Community Center Activity Room on Friday, May 6^th from 3:30-5:00 p.m.