Ronald James Stevenson

Ronald J. Stevenson, better known as Ron, passed away on May 12th, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family and his cat Tommy, after a short battle with cancer. Ron was born on July 11th, 1946 in Vancouver, WA to Robbin "Bob" and Maxine Stevenson. They moved to Pendleton shortly after his birth, where he lived most of his life.

After graduating from Pendleton High School in 1964, Ron attended EOC in La Grande, and was in the Oregon National Guard, where he became a "Nationally Trained Chef". He moved to Hermiston, where he opened a stationery store. In 1972, he married Linda Tolles, and soon after, their son, Justin, was born. They divorced in 1985.

Ron returned to Pendleton in 1973, where he opened Stevenson's Furniture. After closing the store, he began selling real estate, working for Whitney and Associates, and Century 21. He was active in the community, being a Pendleton School Board member for 12 years, Pendleton Chamber of Commerce president, an active Rotary member, and a member of the Elks Lodge.

In 1986, Ron reconnected with his former high school classmate, Janet (Brogoitti) Luster, and they were married in July 1987, enjoying 38 years of marriage. Ron and Janet started Key Appraisal and Realty in 1988, becoming a well-known residential appraiser until fully retiring in 2017.

Ron enjoyed a round or two of golf (though let's say it was more for the camaraderie and the Pendleton Whisky thereafter), a good glass of red wine, and he always enjoyed an inappropriate joke. He also enjoyed his morning tradition of having coffee at Dave's Chevron with many locals to shoot the breeze and impart his "wisdom" on the topic at hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister-in-law, Neva Stevenson. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his son, Justin (Tara) of Scappoose, OR; stepsons Rob Luster of Pendleton, Ryan Luster (Karen), granddaughter Kate Luster of Chico, CA; brother Robert Stevenson of Tulare, CA; and nephew Michael (Janet) Stevenson of Pittsburg, CA.

A special thank you to Marv Anderson for 50+ years of friendship and to Richard Oja of Hospice for his guidance and care in Ron's last few days.

A memorial service is planned for May 30th, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Pendleton Pioneer Chapel (131 SE Byers Ave), followed by a graveside service at Olney Cemetery (865 Tutuilla Road) at approximately 2:00 PM, and a celebration of life at the Pendleton Round-up Roy Raley Room (1205 SW Court Ave) from 3-5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pendleton Foundation Trust (PO Box 1950, Pendleton, OR 97801).