Ronald Wiks, 79

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ronald Eugene Wiks on Dec. 30 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Seattle, Wash., due to complications caused by cancer. 

Born on June 25, 1944, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Helen and Clarence Wiks, Ron spent much of his youth at the Wiks family ranch in Loffs Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene. After graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School, Ron married Diana (Humphrey) and they welcomed two children, Laura and Michael. Although their marriage ended, they remained friends. Ron was then drafted and served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he worked several jobs until he discovered his passion and natural talent for carpentry. Jobs were scarce in the early '80s, so Ron traveled to Ketchikan, Alaska, in search of work and adventure ... and never left. His talent as a carpenter enabled him to enjoy entrepreneurship and an idyllic lifestyle of his own making. Ron married his wife, Sandra (Takahashi), in 1992. Sandy's home state of Hawaii was a favorite travel destination and he held fond memories of their many trips together.  

Ron was fiercely independent, a loyal friend, an expert storyteller and a master of projects. He loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing and golf were some of his passions. He was especially proud of his hunting "trips of a lifetime" with friends to the Brooks Range, the Wrangells and the Chugach Mountains. Ron’s friends were his chosen family, and they meant the world to him. 

Never one to complain or allow fate to slow him down, Ron astonished the experts by independently outliving his prognosis by more than eight years. Even so, his passing feels sudden. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Sandra, daughter Laura (Gray), son Michael, grandchildren Tannar, Dawson, Makayla and Courtney, sisters Marilyn (Eachon) and Judy Wiks, niece Marie (Buddy) Elder, Melissa and Marcus, nephew Matthew Wiks Eachon, cousins Estelle (Duggan), Norma Jean (Norton) and Jake Wiks. Ron is also survived by his faithful companion, “Barney Fife Dog,'' who never left his side.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Clover Pass Community Church located at 105 North Point Higgins Road, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

    Wiks