Ron East obit

Ronald East Obituary

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onald Allan East

Aug. 26, 1943 - Sept. 30, 2023

Ron East was born Aug. 26, 1943, in Portland, Ore., to Allan W. East and Dr. Marion Reed East and grew up in Northwest Portland. As a natural extrovert, he quickly established friendships with many young men that were actively involved in sports like he was. Many of those early friendships would endure for a lifetime. He loved to join pick-up games that were a longstanding tradition at Wallace Park which was a favorite neighborhood park.

He attended Lincoln High School where it soon became clear that he was a gifted athlete, especially in football, wrestling and track & field (javelin). After high school he worked in construction for a short period of time, but then went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In 1964 he decided to pursue his interest in football and enrolled at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., where he started as a defensive tackle. He helped the team go undefeated and win the NWAC championship in 1965, and he received All-Conference honors twice.

In 1966 he enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., and started at defensive tackle for the Bobcat team as it captured the Big Sky conference championship and went on to win the Camelia Bowl in Sacramento, Calif. Ron received All-Conference for his efforts. He was also the Big Sky javelin champion that year.

Following college, Ron turned his attention to professional football and the possibility of playing in the NFL. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967 and played for the Cowboys for four years, participating in the infamous "Ice Bowl Game" against the Green Bay Packers on the "frozen tundra" of Lambeau field. He also played in Super Bowl V in his last year with the Cowboys. Later Dallas' celebrated Coach Tom Landry would say Ron was the most aggressive player he had ever coached. But Ron was determined to get more playing time and asked to be traded. The Cowboys obliged and traded him to the San Diego Chargers along with two other players for Charger star receiver Lance Alworth in a very newsworthy trade known as the "Bambi Trade." Ron started for the Chargers at defensive tackle and became a stalwart in the Charger line.

After three years with the Chargers, he signed with the Hawaii Hawaiians of the fledgling World Football League seeking better opportunities. When the young league folded after the first year, the Chargers had retained his NFL rights and traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 1975. In 1976, he started for the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a final year as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks in 1977.

After his NFL career ended, Ron went on to become a real estate broker based in Redmond, Wash., until his retirement.

Ron was a devoted family man and was very active in raising his three children. He stressed the importance of optimism, self-discipline, hard work and perseverance. These lessons were learned early in life.

Ron passed away peacefully Sept. 30, 2023, at the age of 80. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Erica Gamble of Kirkland, Wash.; and sons, Aaron East of Kirkland, Wash., and Ryan East (wife Rene) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Also, his grandchildren; Greta and Emmett Gamble, Jackson East, and William and Isabelle East. He is also survived by his brothers; Dr. Samuel East of Ketchum, Idaho, and Erik "Rik" East of Salem, Ore.