Ronald Philip Stoppler

Ron Stoppler sailed on to his final sunset on Monday, January 19, 2026 with his dogs and wife by his side at the age of 87. Ron had a long and productive life, born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, the first child of Philip and Mildred (Freeman) Stoppler, on July 2, 1938. Brother Don followed two years later. The small family moved west for greater opportunities in the early 40’s settling in Shelton, Washington. Ron was a born entertainer and a bit of a hellraiser in his youth, graduating from Irene Reed High School in 1956 by the skin of his teeth. But he buckled down at community college the next year, then going on to the University of Washington graduating with a BS in Forestry and MS in Silvaculture. After graduation, Ron married his college sweetheart, Jurley McKinley in 1961, daughter Holly was born in 1962. Ron’s early career in forestry with the state took him to Everett where he taught himself to sail on a styrafoam “Kool” sailboat. Moving into Forest Management, he worked for Weyerhaeuser, St. Regis and Scott Paper where he managed 250,000 acres of commercial timberlands with a team of foresters, loggers, sawmills and chip plants. He also made a number of trips to Japan selling whole logs and developing long term relationships with Japanese customers. Outside of work, Ron continued to sail, trading in for bigger sailboats until he brought a 33 ft. Swedish Storebro that he owned and sailed until his health failed at 85. As his daughter went to college, Ron and Jurley divorced. He met his second wife Paula Conto at Scott Paper and they married in 1984. After Scott sold the Western Timberlands, Ron became the pulp mill manager at the Everett plant. When Scott downsized operations in Everett, Ron followed Paula to Longview as she took a job with Weyerhaeuser. He spent several years consulting and even managed the Winlock Shakertown plant for a time before he retired. After retirement, Ron became active in the Pioneer Lion’s working events in the Chuck Wagon. He remained an active member until his health failed. Ron also loved motor home trips where he and Paula spent time in pretty much every national park in the West.

He was also supportive and active in animal rescue, volunteering first at the Humane Society and in later years with Rescued Paws. Over those years Ron always had one or more faithful rescue dogs that never left his side.

Ron loved spending time with daughter Holly, son-in-law Tom Oakley and his two beautiful granddaughters Brianna and Jenna.

Whether sailing, camping or just spending time with friends, Ron was always the entertainer, telling stories or playing his guitar and leading all in song with his beautiful voice. His passing leaves a hole in hearts of all he touched.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Mildred Stoppler and ex-wife Jurley, survived by wife Paula, daughter Holly and son-in-law (Tom) Oakley and granddaughters Brianna and Jenna Oakley, brother Don Stoppler and wife Sharon, nephews Mark, Wayne and Grant Stoppler and their families.

Services will be held at the Winlock Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St. in Winlock with visitation at 10 AM. Followed by a service at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow on Saturday, January 31. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. Please join Ron’s family to remember him with tears, songs and laughter. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

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