Ronald (Ronnie) Lane Thissell passed away on June 26, 2022, after a short hospital stay.  Ron was born on July 6, 1947, to Leland and Olive Thissell in Eureka, California.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers – Leland Leroy Thissell, Charles (Chuck) Thissell, Gary Thissell and his sister Donna Cluver.  He is survived by his brothers Joseph Thissell (wife Patricia), Raymond Thissell and Denny Thissell (wife Sue) and his sisters-in-law Virginia Thissell Carter and Sara Thissell and brother-in-law Trevor Griffith.  He is also survived by fourteen nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces/nephews, and great-great nieces/nephews. 

Ron graduated from Eureka High School Class of 1967 and then went to work at Redwood United and then Northern Humboldt Unified School District.   Ron participated in the Special Olympics bowling league as a young adult and traveled to numerous tournaments.  He also bowled in leagues at Harbor Lanes in Eureka for the last 25+ years.  In the last seven years he bowled with the group from the Senior Resource Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Besides bowling, his greatest passion was watching baseball and football.  You could ask him anything about the San Francisco Giants and 49ers and he could tell you. 

The last ten years of his working life, he was a janitorial assistant at McKinleyville High School where he got the nickname of Papa Ron.  He loved being around all the kids and their sports.  He was their number one fan.

Ron was a cancer survivor and on his 10-year anniversary of being cancer free he was honored by Relay for Life by leading the survivor’s lap. 

At this time, no services are planned.  The family asks that  in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Special Olympics or the American Cancer Society in his name.

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