Ronald Delano Petett

Ronald Delano Petett, age 76, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on February 4, 2012 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 19, 1935 in Pasco, WA. He was the son of Elmer and Zola Petett. His family moved to the Renton area in 1936. He attended Issaquah schools and graduated in 1953. He married LolaMay Marberg on October 2, 1954. He graduated with a BA in Education in 1969 from the UW. He began his teaching career that fall. He taught at Pine Lake, Apollo, Maple Hills and Maywood JH. He loved teaching and was adored by his students. He retired in 1997. Ron was a kind, gentle man with a big heart and accepted everyone for who they were. He treasured his family. He was a coach for his sons’ baseball and soccer teams and enjoyed working with kids. He loved camping, hiking, fishing, road trips and every kind of sport, with football his favorite. He was an expert gardener and was already planning this year’s garden. He was a published author and poet who found great value in taking time to put his inspirations into masterfully written words giving the world a glimpse into a soul who found beauty in some of the smallest, but most precious and treasured moments.Ron, with his cherished wife LolaMay and their children, lived in various places in the local area, including Issaquah. In 1965, they bought a house in Renton where they still reside 47 ½ years later. Ron became Santa Claus in 1998 and loved the job. He retired his suit after the Santa season of 2008 due to illness. Santa Ron will live in the hearts of many children and families forever. He was the “real deal”! Ron will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His love of teaching, his gentle way, his love of all people and his big heart will be missed by everyone.Ron is survived by his loving wife, LolaMay, of 57 ½ years, Renton; his children, Cindy Lou Aillaud (Whit), Alaska; Darcy Petett, Arizona; Ron Petett, Jr. (Kathy), North Bend; Scott Petett (Anne), Kennydale; grandchildren, Jason (Alecia) Aillaud, Stevie (Curtis)Petett-Cope, Casey Petett, Brian Aillaud, Livia Petett, Jaime Petett, Trae Petett and Leah Petett; great grandsons, Benjamin, Charlie, Hank and Sammy Petett-Cope; two sisters Mary Koler, Renton and Jeanne Post (Ron), Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Ave. NE, Renton at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, Food Link, or the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.

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