Ronald M Walters, 81, of Soda Springs, Idaho, passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at his home. He was born Sept. 11, 1940, in Tooele, Utah, to Ray Frank and Lillian Ruth Walters.
From the time Ron was small, he loved the outdoors. He spent many hours with a fishing rod, fish, slingshot, binoculars, bow, gun, bird, tent poles, or horse reins in his hands. He earned the rank of an Eagle Scout, and later added several palms. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Alaskan/Canadian Mission. His love of the outdoors carried him to Utah State University where he graduated with two bachelor of science degrees, one in wildlife biology and one in range management. While in college, he met Lourene Taylor. They were married Sept. 30, 1965, in the Salt Lake City, Utah, Temple. He worked as a wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service for his entire career. They lived in various places in Idaho and Wyoming, until settling down in Soda Springs where they wrangled their ten children. Ron served in many callings in his church. He had fond memories of being a Scoutmaster and taking the young men on campouts, snowshoeing, sledding, and other various activities. He played a major role in helping several boys in the community earn their own ranks as Eagle Scouts. Lourene passed away in 2004. Ron met Marjorie Ellen Gates and they were married July 22, 2006. With Marjie, he gained another ten children.
Ron was best known for his countless hours watering his lawn, even during the wintertime. He was known to have the greenest grass 12 months out of the year. His love for children knew no bounds. Beside his own ten children and many, many grandchildren, he could be caught chatting with any child who wasn’t afraid of his loud greetings and hearty laughter. If Ron wasn’t at home, you could almost always find him on the river catching fish, usually toting around any children who wanted to join him, or out hunting, again with his children in tow.
He taught his children hard work, the importance of an education, how to properly bait a hook, load a gun, or set a trap. He knew the best huckleberry spots and fishing holes. Ron was always quick to laughter and made those around him feel important. He showed them what it was to forgive and to have an accepting heart. He welcomed his additional family with open arms and a loving spirit.
Ron was preceded in death by his father Ray Frank Walters; his mother Lillian Ruth Walters; his first wife Lourene Taylor Walters; stepsons Gray Keene, Mark Keene, and Gilbert Keene (Moreno); and his great-grandson Oliver Ron Parrish. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Ellen Walters of Soda Springs; sisters Dona Marie McElroy, DeAnn Higgs, Sue and Brad Patch; children Tawny and Martin Calder, Pocatello, Idaho, Bret and Angela Walters, Twin Falls, Idaho, Kristy and Gregg Sparrow, Syracuse, Utah, DeDe and Brandt Hellstern, Smithfield, Utah, Rosetta and Peni Fifita, Denver, Colorado, Cindy and Patrick Bradford, Orlando, Florida, Camille and Tony Peck, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Cody and Bethany Walters, Twin Falls, Idaho, Celeste and Ife Tabakece, Pocatello, Idaho, Hope and Dustin Hansen, Soda Springs, Idaho; step-children Forrest and Laura Eastman, Ephraim, Utah, Irene and Greg Torgesen, Soda Springs, Idaho, Stan and Ami Keene, Murray, Utah, Paul and Gina Keene, Salt Lake City, Utah, Subrina Curtis, Phoenix, Arizona, Sean and Angie Keene, McAllen, Texas, Melona and Daynen McCarthy, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho; 88 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be provided by Sims Funeral Home in Soda Springs, Idaho. Services will be conducted Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, at noon at the Soda Springs Stake Center, Third West and Third South, with Bishop Terry Anderson officiating. A viewing will be held that morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Flowers were provided by The Flower Box, 208-909-5112.
To honor Ron’s memory, we are sure he would ask that you hug your family and go enjoy the outdoors.