Jerry Mullin

This was sent to me by Dad Dedo:

Deceased Classmate: Ron Pillo
Date Of Birth: January-1-1947
Date Deceased: March-31-2022
Age at Death: 75
Cause of Death: 
Classmate City: Renton
Classmate State: WA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No 
Survived By: Spouse: Kay (Carlson) Pillo Sons: David Pillo, Mark Pillo Sister: Linda Pillo Granddaughter: Jaclyn Pillo

Dear RHS Classmates, I'ts with a heavy, heavy heart that I must inform you that we've lost another classsmate. My team mate, hunting and fishing buddy and lifelong friend, RON PILLO, has gone on to meet his maker. The past two years, Ron has been battling a debilitating disease which attacked his joints and muscles (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and severe gastritis that affected his breathing. His wife, Kay, phoned me this morning to let me know Ron had fought and won this battle in the only way he felt he could. I will always remember all the good times we spent together...shared family outings, spinning stories and joke telling. Ron was always there to lend a helping hand. And to this day, Ron (aka RP) is "family" to my kids who call him "Uncle Ron." He will be missed by many. RIP Brother! 

Sender's IP Address: 66.172.121.98 
 

Terrance Pardee

I remember Ron so well.  He was a superb athlete, natural leader and an inspiration in so many ways.  I was a transfer from Kent and a gymnast.  Like all athletes, we crossed paths often after school and for sure in some of the classes we shared.  Just a really nice guy.  Haven't seen many of you since graduation.  Like Ron, I remember you all.  God bless his family.  I think he became the kind of husband and Father and Grandfather, I hope I am.  Always remember eachother in our youth.  That's how we will see eachother oneday.  Terry Pardee

Helen Shamek

Condolences to Kay and the family.

I still can see that boy I had a crush on in high school.  Those young crushes last a lifetime. I'll always remember you.  Rest In Peace.

Dick Mills

I'm saddened. I played against Ron and with him in football and baseball and new him as a real fine man.God be with his family. --Dick

Don Holmquist

It's very sad to hear of Ron's passing. Ron was a great friend thru all of our school years. Ron's parents lived close to us in President Park growing up. Ron was a great athlete and I believe became a fire fighter. I was the skinny red haired kid that got bullied in school somewhat. I'll never forget that when we were going to McKnight, one big kid was bullying me and Ron grabbed a hold of that kid and picked him clear off the floor and shoved him into a school locker !! ( " He told that kid to never touch me again " ) Ron will be greatly missed. 

Christine Slosson (Britt)

Jerry and I send our deepest condolences to Kay and the boys.  My connection with Ron was not during high school, but when Kay and I played soccer together in the 1970/80s.  (Some Jack and Jill softball may have also been involved...)  Such good times.  That's when we got to know Ron and the boys.  It seems like yesterday.  We are so sorry, Kay.

Kathleen Maxwell (Osthus)

Rest in Peace, dear Football Hero, we will never forget you.

Gordon Hansen (Hansen)

I just got home this evening so I could get onto the computer, but received the sad information of Ron' s passing on Saturday.  I am still in shock and at a loss.  We had just celebrated his birthday and I hadn't heard of Ron's illness.  My heart and prayers go out to his family at this very hard time in their lives.  Knowing now of his illness Ron is in a better place and is playing for God's team now are a point guard.  That's Ron, running the show.

I can't really say the Ron and I were good friends as I haven't seen him since graduation.  Neverless, I've always kept tabs on him throughout his life when I could.  I've always had such respect for Ron Pillo.  He touched many lives through his life be the example he set.  He always seemed to be everyone's friend in school and I always saw him treat everyone with respect.  Ron was my first school friend I had when I moved to Renton and started 6th grade at Highland's Elementary school.  We always enjoyed playing football and basketball out in the field and covered court there.  I remember when Ron broke his hard playing QB in football, but it didn't stop him.  While his arm healed, he played receiver while someone else did QB.  We played football at McKnight and again at Renton HIgh, Ron being the great athlete and me being a "wish I could" player.  LOL

I will miss Ron just knowing he is not here, but i will keep my memories.  God Bless You!

Jesse Nevin

This was a huge and very sad surprise! Ron was my neighbor from the time we were 3 years old in 1950, until 1965 when Karen and I moved into our home in the Highlands, before leaving to go to BYU in Provo, Utah in 1966. We were best of friends and attended the same schools: Honeydew Elementary, Highlands Elementary, McKnight Jr, and of course RHS, together. Our neighborhood gang of 8 played baseball, 2 hand touch-football and basketball at Jim Frost's yard. We also, built a ramp and jumped our bikes in our front yard until Ron crashed and broke his arm.

Unfortunately, we lost contact after I left town for college in 1966. Each time I came home to visit my folks, I would visit his Mom and catch up on how he was doing. The few times that I dropped by his home, he was at the firestation. However, in 1990, we had a good visit at the 25th year RHS Reunion picnic at Lake Sammamish. I took a picture of Ron with my youngest son who was named after him. I just looked it again today.

I met Kay before she and Ron married. I wish that we could come for the funeral but our grandson is getting married in Idaho at the same time. Condolences to Kay and the rest of his family. I'm sorry that I never met his kids but I hope they know how much their dad will be missed by us and so many others.