Ronald D. Spear, age 90, an 18 year resident of the Kettle Falls, Washington area, passed away on February 28, 2014 at his home. Ron was born on February 11, 1924. He was the oldest of three sons born to Walter and Myrtle Spear. He was born in Lone Pine, California and at an early age, moved to Glendale, California where he graduated from Glendale Academy in 1942. In 1943, Ron entered the army and served during World War II as a medic. After his discharge from the army in 1945, he met Betty Louise Mink, a graduate of Glendale Sanitarium School of Nursing, class of 1946. After their marriage March 2, 1947, they moved to Carlotta, California where Ron worked with his two brothers, Doug and Cal Spear, in the Redwoods where they operated a sawmill together. Ron's first son John Spear was born December 30, 1947, followed by their second son, David (Larry) Spear June 8, 1949 in Scotia, California. In 1951, the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington where Ron entered Walla Walla College and graduated in 1954 with a degree in theology. They lived in Snoqualmie, Washington until accepting a mission assignment to the Belgian Congo in Africa in 1957. After returning home to Southern California in the early 1960's, Ron pastored several churches in the Southern California area over a period of six years. In 1967, Ron and Betty moved to Kaneohe Hawaii where he pastored the Kaneohe Seventh Day Adventist Church. In April of 1969, his oldest son, John, was killed in action while serving in Vietnam. This was very devastating to the family. In June of 1969, Ron and Betty accepted another mission offer to Tanzania, East Africa. In April of 1972, John's son, Johnny, developed a brain tumor and passed away. Ron and Betty came back from Africa at that time to be with their grandson. In 1972. Upon their return, Ron started serving at the Vallejo Drive Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Glendale. Throughout his ministry, Ron held many positions including Evangelist, Union Lay-activity Secretary, Field Representative for the Review and Herald, Independent Minister and Executive Editor (and founder) of the Our Firm Foundation magazine in 1984. Betty preceded Ron in passing in 2008. He remarried in 2009 to Carmen E. Soto. Ron's ministry and encouragement for others to walk with Jesus continued until the time of his passing. He was a man of great faith and passion with an impulsive character. He was never afraid to speak of his love for Christ and offer others a chance to follow Him. Ron had a great connection to country life and often commented on the value of sipping a warm beverage while beside a warm fireplace watching the snow fall outside. His presence filled any room he occupied and his love for people and their individual ministry will remain an encouragement to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Spear, son Larry Spear and his wife, Karli and grandsons John and Brady of Kettle Falls, Washington. A memorial service will begin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Three Angels Historic Church in Loon Lake, WA. Memorial contributions may be given to the Second Advent Herald Ministry. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.