C. Ronald Ladiges
C. Ronald Ladiges, 72, of White Salmon, died Aug. 16, 2009, from complications following a tractor accident.
He was born in Hood River on Aug. 7, 1937, to Max C. and Irma J. (Krall) Ladiges.
Ron graduated from Glenwood High School in 1956. He served in the army from November 1956 to November 1958. He married Lillian E. Hickey on April 11, 1959. They made their home in Glenwood, had two children, and moved to White Salmon in 1967.
Among other jobs, Ron owned L & L Lockers custom meat cutting, worked as a livestock inspector for the state, and spent most of his life farming and ranching. J & R Ladiges Ranches received Klikitat County's Cattlemen of the Year award in 2003.
Ron has been an active member of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, being county director and state director since 1987. He served on the Board of Adjustment for several years and was chairman for one term. He was a 4-H leader for 15 years and was superintendent of the sheep barn for many years at the Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo. For the past 41 years, Ron has raised money for and participated in the livestock sale, supporting hundreds of 4-H kids in the west end of Klickitat County. He belonged to the Glenwood Rodeo Association, Masons, Royal Arch, and Eastern Star Lodges, Presbyterian Church, and the Cherry Lane and Bingen Fire Departments.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lillian; daughter, Valerie (Rick) Baker, of Prosser; son, Jaylin (Jeana), White Salmon; sisters Coral Ladiges, of Yakima, and Gloria (Gary) Harter, of Glenwood; brother-in-law Lloyd (Clara) Hickey; and four grandsons, Wade and Wyatt Baker and Jarin and Jenson Ladiges. He also leaves behind many other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Washington Cattlemen's Association Endowment Trust Fund, Box 96, Ellensburg WA 98926.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in White Salmon.
Gardner Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
