September 21st, 2020

On July 5, 1942, in Auburn, Washington, Frank and Anne Marie (Parkerson) Tost welcomed  Ronald Gene into the world.  On September 18, 2020, Ron left this world at his home in Ava, MO with his wife Teresa by his side.

Ron was the head custodian at Enumclaw High School, Southwood, and Sunrise Elementary School.  At that time he was PSE Union president for the Enumclaw  School District.  He was a paid/volunteer firefighter for the Enumclaw and Cumberland Washington Fire Departments, and the assistant fire chief in Alaska where he also worked for 30 years serving as an EMT-B.

Ron saw many changes in the media and electronic industry.  When he started operating the Tost TV and Appliance business in Ava he worked with huge TV sets with a lot of tubes, from that he witnessed the rise in the internet and large screen TV's.  He loved to spend his time with Ham radios and radio operators as they helped people through disasters and difficulties.  His call signs KØRGT could always be counted on when there was a need. He was President of the DCAR radio club and ARES® Emergency  Coordinator for Douglas County and District Emergency Coordinator for Region G.  His need to help people was also shown by his work in law enforcement with the Ava City Police and Douglas County Sheriff's Office being the first City Police officer carrying a commission with the Douglas County Sheriff's office.  For many years he volunteered as the Emergency Management Director for the city of Ava and Douglas County.  He proudly served citizens of the region with the American Red Cross. He was a member of the Ava Lions Club even serving as President.       

In his spare time, Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, and sister-in-law Connie. 

He will be missed by his wife Teresa, of the home.  Two sons Tony (Leigh), Los Angeles, Ca; John, Washington, and a daughter Michelle (Rob) Gosselin from New Hampshire.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Benjamin, Jeremy, and Stephanie of Washington State,  Rachel from Idaho, Ryan from New Hampshire, and Simon and Wyatt of Los Angeles, California.  He also left nine great-grandchildren Elijah, Brooklyn, Erame, Madelyn Paisley, and Serenity all from Washington State, and Anika, Claire, and Easton from Idaho.  He will also be missed by many Ham operator friends, fellow firefighters, and the Ava folks who saw him scooting around town in his electric wheelchair.  

A special thank you to Three Rivers Hospice for the wonderful care they took to Ron. 

A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 2:00 September 29,  2020, at the Cross Point Church in Ava, MO.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the family, DCAR ham radio club, or the Ava City Fire Department. 

Cremation and all arrangements are under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at avafamilyfunerlahome.com

In accordance with CDC guidelines we will be asking for all those attending the service wear masks, if possible, and social distance as much as possible during the service.  For those not able to attend the service will be lived streamed on the Cross Point Church facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cpcavamo  as well as the Ava Family Funeral Home page at facebook.com/avafamilyfuneralhome. 
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