Submit a PhotoRONALD WILLIAM EARL, age 82, passed away peacefully on April 1st, 2024, at his home in Gilbert, Arizona.
Ron was born in 1942 to Carl and Joy Earl, in Los Angeles, California. He went to elementary, junior high and high school in North Hollywood then attended BYU Provo. Ron then served for two years in the Army Special Services, playing basketball and working as the base Postmaster. He met and married Colleen Marilee Donnelly in 1966 and planned on celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary this June, on a cruise with their children, grandchildren and a great grandson. The cruise will now be attended in honor of Ron, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
While in California, Ron was a successful business owner, until his retirement in 2005. He and Colleen then moved to Arizona to be near their children and grandchildren. Ron’s interests were many; he acquired his private pilot license, served as Boy Scouts of America Council Commissioner for Orange County and became heavily involved in serving the LDS Church, most often serving in the Scout and youth programs. He also served as HOA President of his Gilbert community for many years, became involved in the Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group and in the local ham radio community, continuing his service with the LDS Church Scouting and youth programs. Ron and Colleen served a mission at Martin’s Cove, Wyoming, in 2010 and later volunteered to serve on two Nauvoo mini-pageant missions. Hunting and outdoor adventures were also Ron’s love and he continued those adventures until the end. At the time of his death, he and his wife were serving as Sunday school teachers to the 12- & 13-year-olds, whom they love.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Colleen, four wonderful children: Greg, Erik, Tara and Jason, nine amazing grandchildren: Sean, Ethan, Aidan, Anna, Maddie, Avery, Colin, Zoey and Dante, and an extra blessing of a great-grandchild, Lincoln. He left behind his two brothers, Jack and Mike Earl, and many loving cousins.
Ron lived a “BIG” life, to the very fullest. The dear man will be missed.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 26023 South Lemon Ave, Queen Creek, April 20th, at 10:00 am. No viewing will be held. Interment will be handled by Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, in Gilbert. Flowers may be sent to Colleen at 6664 S. Saint Andrews Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85298 or directly to the Church one hour prior to the service. If considering a donation, please consider one to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Oncology Department.
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Ron had a way of making everything an adventure.
He was so good to me growing up. I always felt like an equal with Ron. Between eating grilled quail at his home in Orange County or skiing for my first time at Solitude, UT, he was there with an invitation to step up and try something new.
I will miss you Ron! I didn’t spend much time with you the last several years but my childhood to college age memories of you will be with me forever.
You were a huge influence in my life and I hope to be considered an in inspiration to others as you have been to so many.
I am sad to miss this weekend celebrating your life. I sure have been thinking a lot about you and your character the last few days. May God bless you for making this world a better place.
Your favorite nephew (you made all of us feel like your favorite), Matt
Ron was (and is) a really fun guy. That’s why he was so good with the Youth. He really cared about them. We enjoyed our trips together with Ron and Colleen, the boat and jeep rides made for a great time. In the last couple of years we laughed on Friday nights over dinner and were in safe hands having him as our Ministering brother. You did a great job, Ron! We will miss you and our time together. We will take good care of your “energizer bunny”, Colleen.