Obituary of Ronald Lee JeanBlanc
Ronald “Ron” Lee JeanBlanc Sr. (67) resident of Twin Lakes, ID passed away at his home on August 4, 2024. He was born to Ferdinand and Brenda JeanBlanc on April 9, 1957, in Ketchikan, Alaska. He was the second of five boys Raymond, Richard, Robert and Randolph. Ron attended school in Salt Lake City, UT and was a talented athlete excelling at football and basketball. He also played clarinet in the high school band and coached Little League. Ron graduated from Olympus High School with the class of 1975.
Following high school, Ron earned a full-ride football scholarship to play at Western Montana State. He spent a year there before realizing college was not for him. In 1980, Ron married Brenda Mullins, and they made their home in Orofino. They welcomed their son Ronnie Jr. and Ron adopted Brenda’s daughter Amanda. He was proud to be a new dad. To be close to his own parents, the family moved to Greer, ID and Ron went to work logging. His marriage to Brenda ended in divorce and in 1983 Ron moved to Calder, ID where he went to work at Edwards Mill.
Ron met Lynnette Post at the St. Joe Lodge, and the couple married in 1984. This union included Lynnette’s children Brenda, Lisa, and Kimberly. Ron moved to St. Maries to be with his new family and shortly after their son Corey was born. Ron enrolled into a heavy equipment school in Arizona. After successfully completing the program, he moved the family to Harrison. Ron went to work for his father at Ferdinand Inc. and Ferdco. He also opened his own business on the side “JB Bags” where he sold totes, bags for shells and bullets, and trap shooting supplies. Ron was married to Lynnette for 25 years when they decided to divorce.
Ron went into business with his friend and co-worker Cheryl Mathis. They established Barbed Wire Leather Company in the early 2000’s and ran that company together for several years. In late 2009, Ron met his soul mate, Peg Murzi. He still worked at Ferdco, and she was the local FedEx Driver. It started off as business acquaintances with a connection. But as the time went on in 2011, Ron wrote Peg an email asking her to breakfast, and it sealed the deal. A few short years later on New Years Eve in 2013 they had a beautiful outdoor wedding at their home on Twin Lakes. Not only did they fall in love, but the rest was history. The two had countless hours on the deck watching the world go by. He had also found his hunting and travel partner to venture from everywhere from the mountains to the ocean.
Possessing a 2 handicap, Ron was an avid golfer and loved the sport. Ferdco started hosting the first golf tournaments in St. Maries that raised funds for 4th of July Fireworks and other community events for Harrison. He also enjoyed trapshooting and was very involved with the St. Maries Gun Club serving 10 years as President of the club. Ron served as Mayor of Harrison and was also a member of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce, FNRA, NRA, ATA Amateur Trapshooting Assn, he was also one of the founding fathers of Harrison’s annual Pig in the Park. To say that Ron lived an interesting, adventurous, and outgoing life is an understatement. He was an accomplished hunter and fisherman, passing on his love of the outdoors and sports to his children. He was also a family man who loved all his kids and grandkids and was by far the greatest brother ever.
Ron is survived by his wife Peg at their home on Twin Lakes; children Ronnie (Jamy) JeanBlanc of Cottonwood, ID, Corey JeanBlanc of Rathdrum, ID, Amanda (Coy) Collins of Asotin, WA, Brenda (Randy) Watkins of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, Lisa (John) Darden of St. Maries, and Kim “Sissy” (Michael) Bryan of Colville, WA; brothers Raymond JeanBlanc of Clarkston, WA, Robert (Kristi) JeanBlanc of Camas, WA, Randy JeanBlanc of Harrison, ID; 16 grandchildren Samantha, Becca (Boobird), Irene, Paige, Mikayla (Missy), Isabelle (Izzy), Kendra, Megan, Mark, Colton, Mia, Nathaniel, Aliyah, Collin, Gavin, Jase and Gabby; 6 great grandchildren Brantlee, Brody, Carter, Maverick, Scarlett, Gemma and Caysen; numerous nieces and nephews and his “work wife” and very good friend of 29 years Cheryl Mathis. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard JeanBlanc.
A Memorial Service to honor Ron will be on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries with a potluck to follow.
