Ronald Burnette Webster Obituary (2038 - 2010)

Born Jan 18, 2038, Ronald Burnette Webster attended Lewis And Clark High School in Spokane, WA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ronald Burnette Webster.

Graduation Year	Class of 1960
Date of Birth	Jan 18, 2038
Date of Passing	Apr 08, 2010
About	Ronald B. Webster, long time Colfax attorney, suddenly passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Whitman Hospital in Colfax. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 309 N. Lake St., Colfax. Ron was born June 11, 1942 in Cle Elum, WA to Burnette and Lucille (Beck) Webster. The Webster family moved to Coeur d' Alene, ID until Ron was four years old. They then moved to Spokane where Ron attended Grant Elementary and graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1960. He continued his education at the University of Washington where he graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1964. In 1964 and 1965 Ron studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France and traveled throughout Europe. He returned to Spokane in 1965 and enrolled at Gonzaga Law School. Ron graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1969, then began his legal career as a Deputy Prosecutor in Longview, WA. He met Gail Skinner in the Kelso/Longview area while she was working as a social worker for DSHS. The couple married on June 26, 1971 in Olympia, WA. In 1973, Ron and Gail moved to Colfax where he joined the law office of Lawrence Hickman. He continued in private legal practice until his death. Ron was very active in the his community through his involvement with Cub and Boy Scouts with his son Noel; member and council member at Peace Lutheran Church; Past-President and long time member of Colfax Rotary Club by whom he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award; Past-President of Whitman County Library Board; Past-President and member of Whitman County Cougar Club; Past-President of Colfax and Community Fund; member of Washington State Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and Whitman County Bar Association; board member of Colfax Golf Club; volunteer for Northwest Justice Project and Whitman County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program; board member of Center Stage theater in Spokane; and member of the Whitman County Civil Service Commission. Ron was also active in community theater in which he played the memorable roles of Pappy Yokum in Lil' Abner, Uncle Max in The Sound of Music, the Governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, among many others. Over the years, the Webster family hosted five exchange students through Rotary Youth Exchange. Ron also participated in many outdoor activities including spending time at the family cabin and boating on Lake Coeur d' Alene, downhill skiing, jogging and golf, all of which he enjoyed with many friends and family members throughout the years. In recent years, Ron and Gail traveled to Belize, England and Scotland, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, and most recently to Mexico and Cuba. Ron was a beloved member of the Colfax and Spokane communities, adored by many friends, and is thought of with fondness, laughter, and good humor by all who were fortunate to know him. Ron was a wonderful father and father figure, and was adored by his children and the many young people that spent time in the Webster household throughout the years. He was a caring and compassionate individual and attorney, always willing to give of himself through pro bono and discounted legal services, volunteerism, and other contributions. Ron loved the practice of law and took pleasure in serving his many clients. He appreciated living in Colfax and was a proud citizen of the Palouse. Ron is survived by his wife Gail, his children Noel Webster and wife Christy in Gig Harbor, WA, and Michelle Webster and her fiancé Leyland McGann in Washington, DC, and sister Judy Allemand and husband Lonnie in Worley, ID. He is also survived by Vijitra Duangdee and her husband Brian in Eugene, OR, as well as six nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Burnie and Lucille, and his brother, Jerry. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 309 N. Lake St., Colfax; the Whitman Hospital Foundation, 1200 W. Fairview, Colfax; Colfax and Community Fund, P.O. Box 185, Colfax; and Lutheran World Relief, www.lwr.org. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com BRUNING FUNERAL HOME, COLFAX, in charge of arrangements. Published by Spokesman-Review from Apr. 11 to Apr. 12, 2010.