Ronald Clayton Gear

February 26, 1944 – November 30, 2018

Ronald Clayton Gear of Moses Lake, Wash. passed away on Nov. 30, 2018 after a long illness. He was living with Anita Heath (his daughter) and Earl Romig. Ron was preceded in death by his mother Doreen, brother Dwayne and grandson Devan. He is survived by his father Lewellyn, brother Douglas, two daughters Debra and Anita, two stepdaughters Ellie and Gracie and six grandchildren Rylee, Kari, Chance, Lilly, Clayton and Mayci.

Ron was born Feb. 26, 1944 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada to Lewellyn and Doreen Gear. He was a typical Canuck boy, playing hockey, riding horses and hanging out at his grandpa’s farm. In 1955 the family moved to Iowa due to his mother falling victim to polio. As he grew up he became a skilled hunter and sportsman, especially hunting with hound dogs. He and his friends would go out at night, set the dogs loose and follow them until they “treed” a raccoon. They’d shake the “coon” out of the tree and the game would continue. He played the cornet in the school band and developed a very keen interest in music. He also learned to play the piano and guitar. Later in life he became an aficionado in the bluegrass world.

After finishing high school and a couple of years of college, Ron’s Canadian roots were calling and he moved back to Saskatchewan in 1966. His early careers included surveying, working in a saw mill and bricklaying. His travels brought him to Chilliwack, British Columbia in 1967 where he eventually became a home builder with his brother. His love of horses and dogs continued and were a very big part of his life. Through the horse world, he met and married Kay Nutter in 1971. They blessed the world with two beautiful daughters, Debra and Anita.

Ron became very active in real estate and when the economy slowed in the late ’70s, Ron and his nine partners bought land in Washington state and he became the property manager. Ron officially moved to Moses Lake in 1983. Since that time he became very active in real estate development, residential housing, his love for dogs and horses, rafting and most of all music. He spearheaded the restoration of the George, Wash. Grange and promoted bluegrass music near and wide. The highlight of his life was playing music with family and friends, and most of all teaching his grandkids to play.

He will be so greatly missed by all the people whose lives he touched. A celebration of life is being planned for next February. A notice will be put in the Columbia Basin Herald or you can contact Anita Heath at 509-760-8938.