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.”
::::
Seattle Times
Ronald Allan East (Ron)
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).
