Ron Painter

RONALD HARRY PAINTER Ronald Harry Painter, 76, died at his Surfside residence on June 6, 2009 in the presence of his family. The youngest of nine children born to Thomas and Lida (Millett) Painter, she was born in Fresno, California on August 10, 1932. Ron grew up in nearby Dos Palos, California until returning to Fresno where he graduated from Fresno High School in 1950. During his youth he worked for his older siblings in their various businesses. Ron was drafted into the US Army during the Koran Conflict and served stateside doing clerical work. Returning to California he graduated from Fresno State University with an education degree. For the following 10 years he taught vocational wood shop in Fresno area schools. Tired of the teaching grind, he worked construction on a dam building project and was a self-employed bee keeper. He became owner/operator of a agricultural ground spraying business in the Fresno area until he retired and moved to Puget Island, Washington in 1994. In 1997 he purchased land in Surfside where he built his retirement home. Others recognized his unique talents and he went on to build seven other custom homes in Surfside. Ron was a member of both Ocean Park Moose and Eagles. Over the years he enjoyed winemaking, playing cards, woodworking, stained glass, dancing and fishing. He also enjoyed a good joke, music of all kinds, clamming and time with his family. He and Phyllis Ellenberger were married May 4, 1985 in Kerman, California. She survives residing at the family home in Surfside. Also surviving are children Philip (Jan) Painter, Rhonda (Bill) Crivelli and Ellen Collins; step-children Patty (Bruce) and John (Connie) Ellenberger and their families; 11 grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren; and numerous other members of his extended family. A memorial service has been held at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. Burial to follow at family plot in Liberty Cemetery, Fresno, CA. Memorials may be made to the South Pacific County Humane Society, 324 2nd Street, Long Beach, WA 98631. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com