Ronald James Thompson

Ronald James Thompson, age 83, of Merlin, died September 19, 2021 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

Ronald James Thompson was born in Los Angeles California in 1938 the third child of Edgar Claire Thompson and Majorie Gertrude Louden. He passed away September 19, 2021 in Grants Pass at the age of 83.

Due to The Great Depression, Ronald spent his early years traveling with his family as migratory farm workers. Finally settling in Grants Pass in 1946. He graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1956 and immediately set off hitchhiking around the country. He traveling to nearly all the states and most of Canada before settling in Crescent City. He had many adventures including searching for sunken treasure off the coast and homesteading in Alaska. He then met the women who would become is wife JoNell and together they traveled to Sweden and sailed a small wooden sailboat all the way back to San Diego with nothing but the stars and their sense of adventure to guide them. They got married on the deck of their sailboat in 1972 at journeys end. They resettled in Merlin Oregon, had two children and went on to be married for 20 years. His family was very important to Ronald and he worked hard to create an amazing nature-focused country life for them.

He had many jobs over the decades from store manager to commercial fisherman. Toward the end of his career, he worked in the woods enjoying being out in nature and traveling the back roads of Oregon. Throughout his life he mostly worked in transport because he loved to keep moving, travel and see what was around the next corner. His passion for life and knowledge, love of nature and huge heart for his family will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his son Morgan and his daughter and her family, Sarah and Jess Bromley, his grandchildren Haden and Kelleen Bromley. His brother Richard Thompson and his ex-wife JoNell.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Marjorie, His brothers Edgar and Jimmy Thompson and his sisters Marjorie Sullivan and Marilyn Bowland.