Rones Sr., Donald E.

Donald E. Rones Sr. - age: 102
(October 21, 1916 to June 02, 2019 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Our beloved Donald E. Rones Sr. passed peacefully on June 2, 2019. He was born in Centralia, Washington on October 22, 1916 to his parents Elmer and Bernice Rones. Don had two sisters Dorothy and Jean.
He was predeceased by his parents, sisters, his wife Vivi of 67 years, grandson Ryan Dickey, daughter Pam, and recently his wife Barbara of 7 years.
Don is survived by his son Don Jr, wife Gwyn, grandchildren Todd Rones (Alicia), Michele Acevedo, Nicole Book (Scott) and Melissa Galacia (Manuel) also extended family grandchildren Beth Lewis (Chris), Ralph Andrade (Julie), Ron Andrade (Melissa), Cathy Vegara (Omar), son-in-law David Dickey and extended family members. He is also survived by 10 great grandchildren and 7 extended great grandchildren also his nieces and nephews.
The Rones family moved from Washington to Burlingame, California sometime around 1921, where the Rones Candy and Ice Cream store was started, and in later years it would be born again in Ukiah. Don attended school and graduated from Burlingame High. When he was 21, his adventurist spirit motivated him to go to Hawaii on a steamship in 1937. While working in Honolulu for Dole Pineapple, he met and married Vivi Evers. They were there when Pearl Harbor was attacked. In 1945 they could leave the island and returned to Burlingame. Sometime later about 1952 Don and Vivi decided to move north to raise their family and bring all the family for a better life. Well, they settled here in Ukiah and started another Rones Candy and Ice cream store. The Rones family fit right in the community. Don was very active in the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Ukiah Men’s Golf Club, Chamber of Commerce, was on the City Council and served two years as mayor of Ukiah. He was a lifetime member of the Ukiah Men’s Golf Club and Ukiah Elks Lodge. He also served on the Ukiah Valley Hospital Board for 35 years, the Airport Commission and also had his pilots license. After selling the candy store, Don took the position of manager with Anton Propane Co. which later was Pacific Delta Gas, and later became Pargas, as regional manager of North West, and then moved to corporate in Maryland where he achieved the position of Vice President and manager of Southern State. Don returned in 1978 and he and Vivi moved back to Ukiah. They quickly resumed their activities within the community and with friends and family. After Vivi passed, Don met and married Barbara Steadman. His achievements and contributions to the community are many and he is missed by all his loved ones and friends.
Aloha, a memorial service and Celebration of Life will be at the Ukiah Elks Lodge on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 1 pm. Please come and celebrate Don’s life and your stories. A lunch buffet will be served, and it is a Hawaiian Theme. Dress casual.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers a contribution to Ukiah High Boosters, Ukiah Elks Lodge BGMI, Adventist Community Hospital or a charity of your choice.