RSSOBITUARIES
POSTED ON Sunday, August 23, 2009
Ralph "Leon" Edmondson, 60, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2009, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Leon was an organ donor and donated his body to research through MedCure, in the hope that a new awareness of pancreatic cancer will be discovered. Leon was born in Brawley, California, on September 2, 1948, to Ralph Edmondson and Pansy (Edmondson) Atwood. At age 10 the family moved to Selah and Leon graduated from Selah High School in 1967.
From a young age Leon worked out in the orchards and bought his first motorcycle at the age of 13. His love for motorcycles would continue for the rest of his life. In 1967, Leon went to work for Frank's Tire Store as a farm equipment serviceman.
On June 21, 1969 Leon and Kathy (Davis) Williams were married. Leon went to work for Toyota in 1973 and in 1976 he was self-employed at the Selah Gull Station. He was an active member of the Selah Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. In 1980, he went to work at American Parts and Machine. In 1981, Leon and Kathy were blessed with the arrival of a baby girl, Michele Edmondson.
Leon's life and career changed in 1987 with the marriage to Paula (Roark) McCay and a new job with Perry Technical Institute as an instructor in the automotive program. During this time Leon achieved his degree from Western Washington University with a Mastery of Vocational Instruction, class of 1997. In March of 1998, Leon became department head of the automotive program. He would continue to work at Perry for 17 years. He made many friends at Perry, starting a new adventure with the cowboy action shooting group and was a SASS #9427 member. He loved the competition and fun involved with the group of guys. Leon also enjoyed going to the gun show, where he would wheel and deal. Leon was a member of the Board of Directors at Yakima Valley Credit Union, where he made life long friends. Vacation from Perry was a 3 week trip that Leon would have planned for months. Leon, Paula and Michele traveled all over the Central and Western states visiting family and friends from Arkansas to California. The family attended church camp meetings in Delta, Colorado. Leon gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized on Feb. 1, 1998 and he continued to serve God until the day he died. Leon was instrumental in the remodeling of the Church of Christ at Ahtanum.
In 1999, Leon and Paula bought property and designed their dream home in the country, and then were able to move into the house in 2001.
In the spring of 2004, Leon ordered the love of his life Harley Davidson HERITAGE SOFTTAIL CLASSIC and later in 2004 he retired from Perry Technical Institute.
Leon went to work for Smith Aerospace in 2007, which was purchased by G.E. Aviation a year later. Leon made many new friends and enjoyed the work atmosphere. He truly appreciated the company and all that they did for him. He served on several committees.
In August of 2008 Leon made the ride of his life to Sturgis, South Dakota, with friends Bob and Bev, Ciro and Bev, Gordie and Cheryl and Vincent and Colleen. Leon was a man of principle, honesty and truth. He was loved by many.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years Paula Edmondson, daughter Michele (Jason) Powers and granddaughters Hailee Way and Hanna Powers of Selah, a stepdaughter Kimberly (Jason) and grandchildren Emma and Drew Wintersteller of Columbus, Ohio, stepson Michael (Marisa) and granddaughter Danae McCay of Selah, brother-in-law Larry (Sue) Roark of Selah, niece Shannan (Devin) and great-nephew Scooter, great-nieces Brittany and Samantha Schlotman of Yakima, nephew Aaron (Jodi) and great-nephews Cody and Cole Roark of Yakima, mother Pansy Atwood of Yakima and brother Steve Edmondson of Omak, WA, father Ralph (Joyce) Edmondson of Yakima. Also including his stepbrother Ron Clark of Yakima and stepsister Connie (Alex) and step-nephew Michael McCloud of Portland, OR, step-nephew Brian (Natasha) McCloud of Yakima. Leon also had many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Edmondson Family would like to thank all the people involved with the care and love shown to Leon during his illness: caregivers: Ciro and Bev DeMarco, David Sylvanus, Melvin and Betty Loy, Allaura Kelly, Bill and Sharon Brittingham, Pete and Jean Hernendez, Kelly and Kathy McCay, Richard and Monica Johnston, Mike and Kay McCay, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospice, Virginia Mason, Dr. Shayan Irani MD, North Star Lodge and Quality Care Medical Clinic. Heartfelt thanks goes to G.E. Aviation, which includes all administrative staff, Debby Byrd and each employee who showed so much love, Yakima Valley Credit Union administrative staff, Suzanne Williams with Financial Services, and employees who were so helpful to the Edmondson family. The wonderful support and love that came from Snokist Growers administrative staff and each employee during this time of sorrow, and Local Union 3023, Gary Feser, and union administrative personnel are so much appreciated. The faithful support of the members of the Church of Christ at Ahtanum and Summitview for all the help and love that was shown during the many days of sickness, and all the thoughts and prayers that came from the Selah Church of the Nazarene and the Yakima Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Memorial service will be at Summitview Church of Christ, 100 N. 72nd Ave., Yakima at 10:00 am on August 29th.
Ralph "Leon" Edmondson
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Ralph "Leon" Edmondson, 60, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2009, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Leon was an organ donor and donated his body to research through MedCure, in the hope that a new awareness of pancreatic cancer will be discovered. Leon was born in Brawley, California, on September 2, 1948, to Ralph Edmondson and Pansy (Edmondson) Atwood. At age 10 the family moved to Selah and Leon graduated from Selah High School in 1967.
From a young age Leon worked out in the orchards and bought his first motorcycle at the age of 13. His love for motorcycles would continue for the rest of his life. In 1967, Leon went to work for Frank's Tire Store as a farm equipment serviceman.
On June 21, 1969 Leon and Kathy (Davis) Williams were married. Leon went to work for Toyota in 1973 and in 1976 he was self-employed at the Selah Gull Station. He was an active member of the Selah Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. In 1980, he went to work at American Parts and Machine. In 1981, Leon and Kathy were blessed with the arrival of a baby girl, Michele Edmondson.
Leon's life and career changed in 1987 with the marriage to Paula (Roark) McCay and a new job with Perry Technical Institute as an instructor in the automotive program. During this time Leon achieved his degree from Western Washington University with a Mastery of Vocational Instruction, class of 1997. In March of 1998, Leon became department head of the automotive program. He would continue to work at Perry for 17 years. He made many friends at Perry, starting a new adventure with the cowboy action shooting group and was a SASS #9427 member. He loved the competition and fun involved with the group of guys. Leon also enjoyed going to the gun show, where he would wheel and deal. Leon was a member of the Board of Directors at Yakima Valley Credit Union, where he made life long friends. Vacation from Perry was a 3 week trip that Leon would have planned for months. Leon, Paula and Michele traveled all over the Central and Western states visiting family and friends from Arkansas to California. The family attended church camp meetings in Delta, Colorado. Leon gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized on Feb. 1, 1998 and he continued to serve God until the day he died. Leon was instrumental in the remodeling of the Church of Christ at Ahtanum.
In 1999, Leon and Paula bought property and designed their dream home in the country, and then were able to move into the house in 2001.
In the spring of 2004, Leon ordered the love of his life Harley Davidson HERITAGE SOFTTAIL CLASSIC and later in 2004 he retired from Perry Technical Institute.
Leon went to work for Smith Aerospace in 2007, which was purchased by G.E. Aviation a year later. Leon made many new friends and enjoyed the work atmosphere. He truly appreciated the company and all that they did for him. He served on several committees.
In August of 2008 Leon made the ride of his life to Sturgis, South Dakota, with friends Bob and Bev, Ciro and Bev, Gordie and Cheryl and Vincent and Colleen. Leon was a man of principle, honesty and truth. He was loved by many.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years Paula Edmondson, daughter Michele (Jason) Powers and granddaughters Hailee Way and Hanna Powers of Selah, a stepdaughter Kimberly (Jason) and grandchildren Emma and Drew Wintersteller of Columbus, Ohio, stepson Michael (Marisa) and granddaughter Danae McCay of Selah, brother-in-law Larry (Sue) Roark of Selah, niece Shannan (Devin) and great-nephew Scooter, great-nieces Brittany and Samantha Schlotman of Yakima, nephew Aaron (Jodi) and great-nephews Cody and Cole Roark of Yakima, mother Pansy Atwood of Yakima and brother Steve Edmondson of Omak, WA, father Ralph (Joyce) Edmondson of Yakima. Also including his stepbrother Ron Clark of Yakima and stepsister Connie (Alex) and step-nephew Michael McCloud of Portland, OR, step-nephew Brian (Natasha) McCloud of Yakima. Leon also had many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Edmondson Family would like to thank all the people involved with the care and love shown to Leon during his illness: caregivers: Ciro and Bev DeMarco, David Sylvanus, Melvin and Betty Loy, Allaura Kelly, Bill and Sharon Brittingham, Pete and Jean Hernendez, Kelly and Kathy McCay, Richard and Monica Johnston, Mike and Kay McCay, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospice, Virginia Mason, Dr. Shayan Irani MD, North Star Lodge and Quality Care Medical Clinic. Heartfelt thanks goes to G.E. Aviation, which includes all administrative staff, Debby Byrd and each employee who showed so much love, Yakima Valley Credit Union administrative staff, Suzanne Williams with Financial Services, and employees who were so helpful to the Edmondson family. The wonderful support and love that came from Snokist Growers administrative staff and each employee during this time of sorrow, and Local Union 3023, Gary Feser, and union administrative personnel are so much appreciated. The faithful support of the members of the Church of Christ at Ahtanum and Summitview for all the help and love that was shown during the many days of sickness, and all the thoughts and prayers that came from the Selah Church of the Nazarene and the Yakima Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Memorial service will be at Summitview Church of Christ, 100 N. 72nd Ave., Yakima at 10:00 am on August 29th.
