Ronald Allen Haight, 72

Ronald Allen Haight, 72, of Post Falls, Idaho (although a 71-year resident of Spokane, Wash.), passed away June 12, 2023, with his family by his side. Ron was born July 18, 1950, in Spokane to Charles Haight and Clarice Haight (Gorseth) and was the fourth of five children. Ron grew up in the Spokane Valley, attending Central Valley School District schools. One of the greatest thrills of Ron’s life was being a member of the 1968 Central Valley State Championship Basketball team. He never missed an opportunity to share his “Instant Star” performance in the championship game with anyone he met.

After high school, Ron served as an electrician in the U.S. Navy from January 1969 to January 1973. His last post was aboard the destroyer USS Cochrane in Vietnam. After he completed his naval career, he returned to Spokane to settle down and begin his true legacy — his family. On Feb. 7, 1976, Ron married the love of his life, Janet Haight (Reeser), in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They bought their lifelong home on South Hill in Spokane in January 1977 and lived there for the next 46 years. In June of 1977, Ron and Janet welcomed their first daughter, Sabrina, and three years later, in August of 1980, they welcomed their second daughter, Gretchen. Ron shared his passion for sports with his daughters and he and Janet spent many years coaching and cheering their girls on in basketball and volleyball, never missing a game if they could help it.

Ron spent his working career in the restaurant industry, owning and operating Spokane-staple Kowalski’s Deli from July of 1985 until 2006. In February of 2011, Ron accepted his most proud title and became “Papa Ron” when his first two grandchildren were born just 10 days apart. After welcoming two more grandchildren in 2013 and 2014, his family was complete and you could feel the joy radiating from him anytime he gushed over his grandchildren and daughters. Along with being a dedicated family man, Ron had a strong enthusiasm for the game of golf. He spent many hours on local courses in and around the Spokane area, especially MeadowWood and Liberty Lake golf courses. Ron spent many weekends making memories with his lifelong friends, the “Old Fools.” Their adventures included rec league basketball, salmon fishing, white-water rafting, skydiving, golfing, and sports weekends. For several years, Ron and his brothers traveled to the first and second rounds of the NCAA March Madness celebrating their love of basketball and family. Ron inherited his mother’s passion for maintaining a pristine lawn and magazine-worthy flowerbeds, never a weed or pine needle to be found. After Ron and Janet’s daughters were grown, Ron returned to his Navy background and they spent many summers boating on the majestic waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene, where they met a new boating community of friends. His snappy wit, big heart and boisterous laughter will be missed by all who were honored to know and love him.

Ron is survived by his wife, Janet of Post Falls; daughter Sabrina Cross of Post Falls; and daughter Gretchen Strasser (Jared) of Liberty Lake. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Grace and Logan Strasser, and Daven and Jocelyn Cross; his brothers, Bob (Dorothy) Haight and Jerry (Sue) Haight; sister-in-law Delores Haight; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his two siblings, Charles “Larry” Haight and Sandra Eldredge.

A celebration of life is scheduled for early fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (in honor of his daughter, Gretchen) or the Liberty Lake Men’s Club toward their Memorial Scholarship (in honor of his love for golf). Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements.