Ronald Vey Garretson

Ronald Vey Garretson was born March 17, 1928 to Wesley and Blanche Garretson in Haxtun, Colorado. Ron attended local schools graduating from Sterling High School. After a short stint with the Bureau of Reclamation in which he was a surveyor for what is now Horsetooth Reservoir, Ron chose to serve his country in the US Navy. During his first tour of duty on the USS Firedrake, Ron was stationed in Yokosuka Japan where he met Akiko Ozawa while swimming in the bay. They were married May 21, 1955. Ron then brought Akiko home to Haxtun where they welcomed their first child, Jerry in 1957. Ron was stationed in San Diego at the time of the birth but drove non-stop from San Diego to be there. Ron's next tour was as a Navy recruiter stationed in Fort Collins in 1959. After moving to Fort Collins to a small house on East Elizabeth Street Ron and Akiko welcomed their second child, Charles in 1960. Ron was then transferred to the Oakland Naval Air Station in Oakland California. He moved his family to Concord. While in California the family grew by one with the birth of a third son, Colin in 1964. Ron was then transferred back to Fort Collins on recruiting duty. It was during this time that Ron was recruiter of the year and recruiting station of the year for the western states region. He would earn this honor twice. It was during this time that Ron became a sports enthusiast for all local sports especially CSU football and basketball. Ron then would serve his last tour stationed first on the USS Joseph P Kennedy in Rhode Island and then on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in the Gulf of Tonkin. Ron then retired from the Navy after 24 years of service and returned to Ft Collins to start a real estate career. Ron started this phase of his life with Faith Realty and eventually owned his own company-Rocky Mountain Motel Brokers. Ron retired from real estate in 1995 at which time Ron and Akiko moved to The Good Samaritan Retirement Center in Loveland. Ron and Akiko were in the process of building a new home when Akiko passed away in December of 1998. Ron married again in 2000 to Charlotte King, who had also lost her spouse. The first 5 years, Ron served as president of the HOA with Char's help in a new community known as "Morning Star Village" in Loveland. Together they worked to beautify their new home. Ron and Char spent a wonderful, happy 10 years together. They traveled a lot, especially to Ron's Navy Reunions. It came as quite a blow in early 2009 when Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It was even a greater blow when in January, 2010, Ron had a stroke. For almost 5 months he struggled through 3 facilities in order to get strong enough to return home. During those 5 months, he was returned to the hospital 5 times with pneumonia, each time weakening his lungs and immune system. The most recent attack was more than he could overcome. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 12 and went to his reward in Heaven. Ron will always be remembered for his generosity, his big heart and his fabulous smile. Ron is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his son, Jerry and wife, Chris; his son, Charles and son, Colin; a brother, Earl Garretson; and three step-children, Peggy, Daniel and Robin King. He is also survived by 2 grandsons, Nicholas and Spencer and many extended family and friends. A Memorial Service with Military Honors by Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard and Loveland BPO Elks Lodge #1051, will take place Friday, 2:00 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, we welcome you to donate to the Ron Garretson Memorial Fund or to the charity of your choice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.