Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, Tigard, 10/28/2023.

 

Ron East (1943-2023) obituaries

 

The Oregonian

Ronald East Obituary

Ronald Allan East

Aug. 26, 1943 - Sept. 30, 2023

Ron East was born Aug. 26, 1943, in Portland, Ore., to Allan W. East and Dr. Marion Reed East and grew up in Northwest Portland. As a natural extrovert, he quickly established friendships with many young men that were actively involved in sports like he was. Many of those early friendships would endure for a lifetime. He loved to join pick-up games that were a longstanding tradition at Wallace Park which was a favorite neighborhood park.

He attended Lincoln High School where it soon became clear that he was a gifted athlete, especially in football, wrestling and track & field (javelin). After high school he worked in construction for a short period of time, but then went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In 1964 he decided to pursue his interest in football and enrolled at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., where he started as a defensive tackle. He helped the team go undefeated and win the NWAC championship in 1965, and he received All-Conference honors twice.

In 1966 he enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., and started at defensive tackle for the Bobcat team as it captured the Big Sky conference championship and went on to win the Camelia Bowl in Sacramento, Calif. Ron received All-Conference for his efforts. He was also the Big Sky javelin champion that year.

Following college, Ron turned his attention to professional football and the possibility of playing in the NFL. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967 and played for the Cowboys for four years, participating in the infamous "Ice Bowl Game" against the Green Bay Packers on the "frozen tundra" of Lambeau field. He also played in Super Bowl V in his last year with the Cowboys. Later Dallas' celebrated Coach Tom Landry would say Ron was the most aggressive player he had ever coached. But Ron was determined to get more playing time and asked to be traded. The Cowboys obliged and traded him to the San Diego Chargers along with two other players for Charger star receiver Lance Alworth in a very newsworthy trade known as the "Bambi Trade." Ron started for the Chargers at defensive tackle and became a stalwart in the Charger line.

After three years with the Chargers, he signed with the Hawaii Hawaiians of the fledgling World Football League seeking better opportunities. When the young league folded after the first year, the Chargers had retained his NFL rights and traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 1975.

In 1976, he started for the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a final year as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks in 1977.

After his NFL career ended, Ron went on to become a real estate broker based in Redmond, Wash., until his retirement.

Ron was a devoted family man and was very active in raising his three children. He stressed the importance of optimism, self-discipline, hard work and perseverance. These lessons were learned early in life.

Ron passed away peacefully Sept. 30, 2023, at the age of 80. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Erica Gamble of Kirkland, Wash.; and sons, Aaron East of Kirkland, Wash., and Ryan East (wife Rene) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Also, his grandchildren; Greta and Emmett Gamble, Jackson East, and William and Isabelle East. He is also survived by his brothers; Dr. Samuel East of Ketchum, Idaho, and Erik "Rik" East of Salem, Ore.

Services will be private. Contributions may be made in his name to the charity of one's choice.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

Published in The Oregonian from Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2023.

https://obits.oregonlive.com/us/obituaries/oregon/name/ronald-east-obituary?id=53357573

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In the online memory book following Ron’s obituary in the Oregonian, Marcus Alan East, his nephew, wrote the following and also posted the photos shown here.

“I very much enjoyed the obituary that you wrote. Very well said. Your brother will be missed. Thank you for sharing it with us. I remember the story of how like 42 players tried out for 2 spots on the Cowboys and how Ron earned both of them. He wasn't the biggest or the fastest player but he used his leverage and tenacity to overcome. He would show up to camp already in game ready shape while others would use practice time to get back in shape. He regularly out hustled and out worked others that had more natural physical ability. I love his larger than life personality, his positive attitude and his impressive handshake. I am so glad that we got a chance to visit with him in Kirkland and see his pictures and mementos that adorned his room, memorably the Falcon´s photo of Ron.”

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Seattle Times

Ronald Allan East (Ron)

 August 26, 1943 - September 30, 2023

 Ron East was born on August 26, 1943 in Portland, Oregon to Allan W East and Dr. Marion Reed East and grew up in Northwest Portland. As a natural extrovert, he quickly established friendships with many young men that were actively in sports like he was. Many of those early friendships would endure for a lifetime. He loved to join pick-up games that were a longstanding tradition at Wallace Park which was a favorite neighborhood park.

He attended Lincoln High School where it soon became clear that he was a gifted athlete, especially in football, wrestling and track & field (javelin). After high school he worked in construction for a short period of time, but then went on to serve in the US Marine Corps.

In 1964 he decided to pursue his interest in football and enrolled at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington where he started as a defensive tackle. He helped the team go undefeated and win the NWAC championship in 1965, and he received All-Conference honors twice.

In 1966 he enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and started at defensive tackle for the Bobcat team as it captured the Big Sky conference championship and went on to win the Camelia Bowl in Sacramento, California. Ron received All-Conference for his efforts. He was also the Big Sky javelin champion that year.

Following college, Ron turned his attention to professional football and the possibility of playing in the NFL. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967 and played for the Cowboys for four years, participating in the infamous "Ice Bowl Game" against the Green Bay Packers on the "frozen tundra" of Lambeau field. He also played in Super Bowl V in his last year with the Cowboys. Later Dallas' celebrated Coach Tom Landry would say Ron was the most aggressive player he had ever coached. But Ron was determined to get more playing time and asked to be traded. The Cowboys obliged and traded him to the San Diego Chargers along with two other players for Charger star receiver Lance Alworth in a very newsworthy trade known as the "Bambi Trade". Ron started for the Chargers at defensive tackle and became a stalwart in the Charger line.

After three years with the Chargers, he signed with the Hawaii Hawaiians of the fledgling World Football League seeking better opportunities. When the young league folded after the first year, the Chargers had retained his NFL rights and traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 1975. In 1976, he started for the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a final year as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks 1n 1977.

After his NFL career ended, Ron went on to become a real estate broker based in Redmond, Washington until his retirement.

Ron was a devoted family man and was very active in raising his three children. He stressed the importance of optimism, self-discipline, hard work and perseverance. These lessons were learned early in life.

Ron passed away peacefully on September 30 at the age of 80. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Erica Gamble of Kirkland, Washington and sons, Aaron East of Kirkland, Washington and Ryan East (wife Rene) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Also his grandchildren; Greta and Emmett Gamble, Jackson East and William and Isabelle East. He is also survived by his brothers; Dr. Samuel East of Ketchum, Idaho and Erik "Rik" East of Salem, Oregon.

Services will be private. Contributions may be made in his name to the charity of one's choice.

Published Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, Seattle Times

https://obituaries.seattletimes.com/obituary/ronald-east-1088936755

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Information about Ron East after research by TJM:

-Lincoln High, Portland

-Columbia Basin College, Pasco

-Montana State University, Bozeman

NFL: Dallas, San Diego, Atlanta, Cleveland, Seattle 

(Played in Super Bowl V in 1971 for the Cowboys)

WFL: The Hawaiians

................

Ron East played in the 1962  “Junior Rose Bowl” in Pasadena, Calif., for CBC/Columbia Basin College football team coached by Dwight Pool. 

He played in the 1964 “Camellia Bowl” in Sacramento, Calif., for MSU/Montana State University, coached by Jim Sweeney.

Ron played in Super Bowl V in 1971 for the NFL Dallas Cowboys, coached by Tom Landry. Game played in Miami, Florida, Orange Bowl.

....................

He died in Kirkland, Wash., (Sept. 30, 2023, at age 80)

Ron is a member of the:

--Northwest Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (1994).

--Montana State University Bobcats Athletics Hall of Fame (1999).

--Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame (2009).

--Columbia Basin College Athletics Hall of Fame (2019).

Football's Ron East: Portland (Lincoln), junior college (CBC), Montana State, NFL (including Cowboys, Chargers and Seahawks) and WFL (The Hawaiians)

Ron East, grad of Portland's Lincoln High School, where he played football, wrestled and did track (javelin) for the Cardinals, went on to play football (All-American, All-Conference) for the Columbia Basin College (Junior Rose Bowl) Hawks in Pasco, Wash. and for Montana State University (Camellia Bowl) Bobcats. Dwight Pool was his CBC coach and Jim Sweeney was his coach at Montana State.

From Montana State, East went to the NFL, making the Ton Landry-coached Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. In the NFL, he also played for San Diego, Cleveland, Atlanta and Seattle as well as with The Hawaiians of the WFL.

Out of high school, East went to Oregon State University, but Tommy Prothro and staff said he was too small. He never played football for the Beavers. So, he left OSU and joined the Marine reserves. After boot camp, he journeyed to Columbia Basin and then on to Montana State where he was an all-Big Sky Conference defensive lineman.

Maybe he was too small for OSU, but he went on to play 11 years of professional football. During that time, he played in two NFL championship games for Dallas against Green Bay as well as in Super Bowl V versus the Baltimore Colts.

And, speaking of track, East was an outstanding javelin thrower. He was Big Sky Champion throwing for Montana State.

• He was All-American and All-Conference on the 1962 CBC football team which played in Junior Rose Bowl.
  
  
• At Lincoln High School in Portland, Ore., he completed for the Cardinals in football (4 letters), wrestling (4 letters) and track (3 letters). He and was first team all-Portland Interscholastic League football and played in the Shrine All-Star game. At the 1961 state high school championship track meet he placed 4th with his best mark in the finals (189-9) in the top 20 for U.S. high school competition.
  
  
• He's a member of three athletic hall of fames: Portland Interscholastic League (Lincoln High), Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (Columbia Basin College), and Montana State University.
  
  

ART McGINN, died April 30, 2023, in Spokane at age 85. Former reporter/feature writer with UPI/United Press International

ART McGINN, died April 30, 2023, in Spokane at age 85. Former reporter/feature writer with UPI/United Press International

Arthur James McGinn

March 16, 1938 - April 30, 2023

Arthur James McGinn, a longtime reporter and feature writer with United Press International news service and The Sacramento Bee newspaper, passed away on April 30th, 2023, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, WA, with his wife at his side. 

Art was 85 years old, the oldest of five brothers born to the late Richard and Catherine Murphy McGinn of Spokane.

He leaves his wife of 61 years, Kerry Anne Mullen McGinn, of Spokane, daughter Kathleen of Austin, TX, sons John of Sherman, TX, and Steven of Newton, MA, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Michael of San Francisco.

A graduate of Gonzaga Preparatory School and Gonzaga University, McGinn joined United Press in 1958 in Spokane while in college and later worked in UPI bureaus in Olympia, San Francisco, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Sacramento before joining the Sacramento Bee where he was a reporter, feature writer, and columnist.

He returned in 1973 to UPI in San Francisco, the West Coast Headquarters of the news agency, and remained until 1991. He was involved in coverage of the Patty Hearst kidnapping, the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford by Sarah Jane Moore, and the major earthquake that struck the Bay Area in October 1989.

During his news media career, he covered state legislatures, courts, crimes, and floods in California, Washington, and Idaho. Over the years he interviewed former President Harry S. Truman, Cesar Chavez, Dizzy Gillespie, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Cash, Kathryn Crosby, and Nancy Reagan. He was once assigned to inspect California Gov. Ronald Reagan's hair at a barber shop to determine whether it was dyed. The consensus was no.

McGinn was an officer of the Wire Service Guild, AFL-CIO, and served terms as the union's National Vice President for UPI and as the National Strike Preparation Coordinator during contract negotiations with UPI. He later worked for The San Francisco Newspaper Agency and The San Francisco Chronicle.

In 2020, he published his novel, Telegraph Hill, set in his beloved San Francisco around 1980.  (Publication date: Feb. 24, 2020)

McGinn was immensely proud of his family: wife Kerry, an Adult Nurse Practitioner and author of several health books; son Michael (Melissa), founder of a legal services company in San Francisco; daughter Kathleen, attorney, and world traveler; a son John (Susan), composer, classical keyboardist, and college professor; and son Steven (Julie), cartoonist and jazz musician.

McGinn is also survived by daughter-in-law Melissa McGinn of San Rafael, CA, and grandsons Jack, Matthew, and Sean; daughter-in-law Susan of Sherman, TX, and granddaughters Joanna and Sarah; and daughter-in-law Julie of Newton, MA, and granddaughter Caroline. He is also survived by brother John of Seattle, Jerry of Spokane, and sister-in-law Jean of Coeur d'Alene, ID, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Richard of Athens OH, and Joseph of Coeur d'Alene ID.

Art combined a loving heart with integrity, generosity, and a great sense of humor, a combination which made him universally loved in return.

A funeral service will be held Friday, June 30th at 10:30 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 2120 E 1st Ave, Spokane, 99202. This will be followed by lunch at Jack & Dan's Tavern, at 1226 N. Hamilton St., Spokane (Art's specific instruction), and then burial at 2:30 pm in the family plot at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, off Assembly.
 
Published by Spokane Spokesman-Review on June 18, 2023

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Art McGinn bylined stories:

-Patty Hearst, UPI story in Long Beach, Calif., Press-Telegram,
March 3, 1975 

-California 1965 legislature, UPI story in Conjeo News, Thousand Oaks, Calif. March 29, 1965

-Anti-apartheid, UPI story in Hilo, Hawaii, Hawaii Tribune-Herald,
May 3, 1985 

-'Looking Around' column by Art McGinn, Sacramento, Calif., Bee, June 20, 1969

-'Looking Around' column by Art McGinn, Sacramento, Calif., Bee, Sept. 12, 1969 (ill)

SMUD story by Art McGinn, Sacramento, Calif. Bee,
Aug. 7, 1973

 

 

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