Ronald Bruce McLean

Ronald McLean, 79, passed away on August 14, 2025 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ron was born September 5, 1945 in Shelton to Bruce and Margaret (Skip) McLean. He spent his childhood hiking in the Olympics with family and his Boy Scout troop, at his grandparents’ farm in the Skokomish Valley, and sailing and waterskiing at the family home on Island Lake. Ron graduated from Irene S Reed High School, Class of 1963, and then entered college at the University of Washington. After finishing two years of college, he stayed out one quarter to earn money for college but received a draft notice; he opted to join the Air Force in 1965. When they asked about his interests, he said “cartography”; they thought he said “photography”. That error would set the stage for his life-long career in photography. Ron served 13 months in a photography lab at Ton Son Nuht airbase in Saigon during the Vietnam war. Following his military service, Ron attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. He worked in high-end photography/digital processing until retirement.

Music was Ron’s great love throughout his life. He played guitar in rock, R&B, and Christian bands from high school through retirement, including The Deacons, Red Beans & Rice, Boys Nite Out, and The Holy Ghost Traveling Band. Many of his band members have remained life-long friends.

Ron is survived by two children from his first marriage: Ryan, 48, of Shelton, and Kati, 42, of Missoula, MT; 3 grandchildren: Xander, Gabe, and Sophia; one great-grandson; sister Kathy Thompson (Rex) of Union; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

The family wishes to thank Jef and Shelby Conklin, Ron’s former brother- and sister-in-law, as well as the many wonderful caregivers at Garden Courte Memory Care in Olympia for taking such good care of Ron for the past couple of years. Thanks also go to Krista at Eldercare, and to Puget Sound Hospice, especially Brittany and Katie, for their care and support in Ron’s final days. Their loving care made the very difficult Alzheimer’s journey a little bit easier. Ron was a caring and loving soul. We will all miss him deeply.

The family is planning a celebration of Ron’s life at Shelton Presbyterian Church, 1430 E Shelton Springs Road, on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.