Ron passed away at Kadlec Medical Center on Thursday, December 12, 2024 after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer.

Ron was born July 27, 1954 to Claude and Wilma Thomas of West Richland, WA. He was the youngest of 4 children.

Ron spent his younger years in West Richland in the area referred to as the “brotherhood.” He often would reminisce about being able to spend the summer days running the neighborhood, having many moms to go to when you needed lunch, or when someone would get hurt and never having to be home until the street lights came on. He would often talk about all the various odd jobs he had as a kid, working at the local tire shop, or working for the local bee keeper collecting the honeycombs and putting them in the spinner to collect the honey, and of course, the never-ending lawn mowing jobs.

Ron graduated from Col-High (RHS) in 1973. He spent time in Seattle working in hospitality at several hotels in the downtown area. Upon returning to Richland, he worked at the Atomic Bowl. It was there that he met his first wife Cindy. They were married in 1977 and later had twin sons Jared and Ray. They ended their marriage in 1980.

Ron and his parents moved to Long Beach, WA, where they became the owner/operators of a Motel, RV and mobile home park. It was there that Ron met one of his best friends, Art Stotts. They formed a deep and lasting friendship, which continued until Art’s passing in 2017.

In 1986, Ron met Cheri and she moved to Long Beach to begin their lives together. After Ron and his dad sold the Motel, they all moved back to Richland to be close to family. Ron, Cheri and their 5 children formed a beautiful blended family and were married in 1989.

Ron was fortunate to secure a job at Battelle (PNNL), where he began as an animal care tech, then progressed to a janitor, and eventually became a supervisor of the 3000 area janitorial staff. Ron worked for PNNL until 1994.

In 1996, Ron obtained a bus driver position at Ben Franklin Transit (BFT).
He started as a driver, later advanced to dispatch, and eventually became a supervisor. It was there at BFT that Ron met his other best friend, Ron France. These two formed a brotherly friendship and would go on and plan some unforgettable parties at both of their homes! He enjoyed working at BFT until 2019 when he retired.

Ron always enjoyed fishing both here in the local area of the Columbia River and also at the mouth of the Columbia River in Ilwaco, WA catching salmon and sturgeon.
Ron also enjoyed camping, spending many summers with the family camping and crabbing on the Washington and Oregon coasts. He had extremely fond memories of Beards Hollow in Long Beach, WA. Ron also enjoyed hunting with his sons. They would always refer to this as “male-bonding” weekends. One of Ron’s greatest memories was this past October when his grandson Connor shot his first deer. Ron was so incredibly proud and cherished that moment deeply.

In 2021, Ron was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and moved to Pasco to be closer to family. Ron fought his cancer with Grace and Dignity and always had an optimistic attitude through each radiation and chemo treatment. Being surrounded by loved ones allowed Ron to continue his fight with a sense of strength, knowing that he had his support system nearby.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Claude and Wilma Thomas, and sisters Barbara Jones, Vickie Thomas and Claudia Curry.

Ron is survived by wife Cheri of 39 years and children Jason (Becky) Brown of Richland, Jared (Marie) Thomas of Richland, Ray (Laura) Thomas of Mesa, Tara-Lee Thomas of Salisbury MD, and Shane (Andrea) Brown of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Ron is also survived by his grandchildren Joni (Daniel) Cochran-Roney, Kaila (Thomas) Fuqua, Amber Brown, Trac Thomas, Carissa Brown, Blake Roney, Preston Brown, Connor Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Drew Thomas, Stevie Brown, Ellis Brown, Louis Brown, and his Great-Grandchildren Avery Cochran, and Wyatt Cochran.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 18, 2025 at 11:00am at the Event Center at Einans/Sunset Gardens. This will be a time to share stories, memories, and celebrate his amazing life.

Ron was known for his kindness, sense of humor, and unwavering loyalty to his family and friends. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of his loved ones.