Ronald Eugene Brookshire

Ronald E. Brookshire, 89, passed away peacefully at home on January 14, 2026. He went to be with His Lord and Savior.

Ron was born to Ernest and May Brookshire on November 28, 1936, in Edgar Springs, Missouri. He joined his older brother, Gilbert.

Ron graduated from Newburg High School in 1954 and started his career immediately after, working for the United States Geological Survey.

In June of 1955, Ron married the love of his life, Peggy Jo Smith, in Newburg, Missouri. It became evident from the beginning that Ron would do anything and everything for Peggy Jo. His goal in life was to make her happy. They shared 70 wonderful years of marriage. He was a devoted father to their 3 sons, Douglas, Darren, and Gary.

Ron and Peggy left Newburg, moving to Peoria, Illinois, after they married. Ron worked at the Caterpillar Truck Plant for several years. He also worked at the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Plant in St Louis, Missouri. Ron and Peggy moved to Walla Walla in 1958. Ron started working for Garrett Freightlines, then for the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Department, and soon became a patrolman with the Walla Walla Police Department. He retired in 1976, after 17 years of service.

After retirement, Ron worked numerous jobs, including Morrison Supply, Cornwell Tools, Harold Electric, and he drove school bus for Walla Walla Public Schools. It was a job he deeply loved.

Ron was an active member of many organizations in the valley, including the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Posse and the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers, and he served as the president of the Walla Walla Lions Club for many years. He also coached Farm League Baseball and City Boxing for youth rehabilitation. He was a kind, patient, and humble man. Ron was devoted to serving his church community for many years.

Ron found joy by loving his family deeply, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

Ron survived by his wife, Peggy; three sons, Douglas (Lisa), Darren, and Gary (Felicia Gorze); 11 grandchildren: Jordan (Felicia) Brookshire, Heidi (Lewis) Friend, Holly (CJ) Anderson, Nicole Brookshire (Dylon Wasmund), Hannah (Brady) Settell, Sara Brookshire (Phillip Schmatt), Alexandra Croney-Kanniainen, Samantha Croney, Christina (CJ) Harris, Ashley Croney and Sydnee Brookshire (Mauricio Duran). He had 18 great-grandchildren. He found his greatest joy in watching them grow and the privilege of being their papa. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gilbert.

Ron will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

We would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Wilcox at Walla Walla Clinic, Walla Walla Community Hospice, for their unwavering support during Ron’s final days, and Debbie Stinebaugh with Generational Care, who loved and cared for him as he deserved.

A service honoring Ron will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Walla Walla. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walla Walla Police Foundation, Walla Walla Senior Center, or the Ted Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.