Ronald L. "Ron" APPLE (1947 - 2018)

 

APPLE, Ronald L. "Ron"
(Age 70)

Ron had many triumphs in life but sadly lost his 15- month battle with cancer on January 21, 2018. In typical Ron fashion he was a trooper to the end and is now in peace. Ron was born March 11, 1947 and spent his first few years in Oroville, WA until the family moved to Spokane which became his lifelong home. He graduated from Lewis and Clark H.S. in 1965, and then attended Community College before being drafted into the Army in 1966 when he honorably served his country in Vietnam. Throughout his life, Ron developed many talents, had a variety of interests and never shied away from a challenging project. He loved music, playing guitar and hanging out with local musicians. He also enjoyed the outdoors, camping and target shooting. Ron's love for the outdoors inspired him to buy property in the woods. His most recent project was single-handedly building a "cabin" (actually a two-story home) there. He spent much of his free time up at his forest sanctuary. As he travelled the road of life, his changing modes of transportation illustrate how his interests changed along the way. Starting very young with go-carts, bicycles and dirt bikes, he moved on to motorcycles, a Harley, cars, trucks, horses, mules, a boat and tractors. He was a master mechanic, there were few things he couldn't build, rebuild or repair and he did so up until a month ago. His natural talent, abilities, knowledge and perfectionism in carpentry made him a master craftsman. He joined the Carpenters Union Local 98, completed the apprenticeship program and worked on many area projects. His carpentry excellence provided employment with Spokane School District #81 for over 25 years. If you've spent any time in Spokane you most likely will have seen something he had a part in constructing. His retirement years have been spent enjoying the camaraderie of his friends, spending time with family and retreating to his property. Ron is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Roberta Apple, brother Jim Apple, and niece Angelique Burrell. He is survived by his son Ryan Apple, daughter-in-law Erica Apple, grandson Aaron Apple; sister, Peggy Burrell, brother Robert Apple; niece Nichole and (Ed) Crosby; and his family of loving and loyal friends. We'll miss his wry sense of humor and maybe even a bit of sarcasm. It's hard to say goodbye, but please join us at his Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 3rd 1:00-3:30pm at The Onion Restaurant, 7522 N Division, Spokane, WA.