Ronald Shannon Victor
Ronald Shannon Victor passed away suddenly February 25, 2022 while spending time with family in Billings, Montana.
Ron was born on March 13, 1963 to Ronald Clifford Victor and Sandra Gail Youngblood in Salem, Oregon. He finished his school years in Newport Oregon, attending Newport High School.
In his early adulthood, Ron’s hard work ethic led him all over the western coast. He often spoke of the wonderful times he spent in Ketchikan, Alaska working aboard the ocean vessel, The M/V Columbia. Working his way up the chain, Ron held placements on the ocean vessel as a cook, a steward, and a stores keeper. He was highly recognized as being an excellent crew member, and through letters of recommendation he is well documented as being highly talented, dependable, the backbone of the ship’s operation, “a real people person”, and a great asset to the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Throughout his life, Ron was a big fan of the outdoors. He loved hunting, camping, mountain biking, and was a talented fisherman. He often told fishing stories of catching large steelheads in the many western ocean bound fresh waters early in his life, and enjoyed fishing the Yellowstone River for catfish in his later years. He had a knack for cleaning those catfish unlike anyone had ever seen!
Camping was second nature for him as well. He was a “rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it” kind of guy. He would give the shirt off his back for anyone, but would never need to since he always packed extras. Ron was an avid cycler, always riding in style and comfort on what he called a “real mountain bike.”
Ron was a colorful character, for sure. He wore his many wonderful layers truly and honestly. He was tough, smart, resourceful, and compassionate. He loved his children, his family, his friends, his things, and after many hardships throughout his life, he learned how to accept and love himself for who he truly was. He inspired so many good memories with his contagious laugh, always making those around him smile. Ron will truly be missed by all those who loved him.
Ron is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Clifford Victor, and mother, Sandra Gail Youngblood.
Ron is survived by his wife and longtime friend, Tina Victor, children Chris Irby of Havre, MT, Stephanie Bruno of Vancouver, WA, Amber Irby (Jesse Freeman) of Billings, MT, Brandon Victor of Vancouver, WA, and Brandee Victor of Billings, MT, two grandchildren, River and Killian of Vancouver, WA, and sister Tammy Abadie.
A private celebration of life and farewell ceremony for Ron is to be held in Worden, Montana along the Yellowstone River, where he loved spending time with those he loved, date and time to be announced.
