Ronald Leroy Dolan

He was born March 16, 1930 in Castle Rock, Washington. He grew up in Vancouver, WA and Joseph, OR where he graduated from Joseph High School in 1949 before entering the U.S. Army in 1952.

He married the love of his life, Shirley Thunder from Woodland, Washington on June 5, 1950. The military life had them stationed in California and Nevada where he took part in nuclear bomb testing. He was honorably discharged in 1954 after which they moved to west Salem where Ron began a lifelong career as a barber. He worked in and owned several barbershops in the Salem area and also worked for the Oregon State Hospital as a barber for 17 years.

Ron had numerous interests including fishing with his family and visiting the Oregon Coast at every opportunity. He also raced pigeons and was a long-time member of the Cherry City Racing Club. As a youth, he excelled in sports including basketball, football and baseball. But Ron's number one priority was always his family and home. He was also an active member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Ron and Shirley were blessed with three wonderful children, Sherry, Tracee and Ryan. They also acted as loving parents to Ron's nephew John.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Dolan of Salem, children Sherry and Terry Hanson of Gresham, Tracee and Mark Barnett of Salem, and Ryan Dolan and fiancé Stephanie Samples and her son Anthony of Salem. He will also be survived by his sister Darlene and Ronnie Brown of Tacoma, WA, Three grandchildren, Kristin Clarke of Salem, Kirk Hanson of Fairview, OR, and Kinsey and Jake James of Kihei, HI, and one great-grandchild, Kirah Sinor of Salem, OR. Ron is also survived by five nieces and nephews; John and Janine Hawkins of McAllen, TX, Cindy and Carl Regalado of Tacoma, WA, Ron Brown of Yuma, AZ, Charmain Voigt of Tulsa, OK, and Eric Brown of Tacoma, WA.

A viewing will be available from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 26 at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Chapel of the Gardens, 1350 Commercial St. in Salem. A memorial service will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 27, 2010 followed by internment at 2:00 p.m. at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with full military honors.