Ronald J Jardine

Ronald J Jardine passed away at home on Sunday, September 29, 2025.

Ron was born in Roberts, ID, to Worth and Roma Jardine on June 25, 1929. Ron, the eldest of 11 children, graduated from Arco High School in 1949. He served on the ship, Lake Champlain in the US Navy from 1949 to 1954 during the Korean War.

He was married on February 9, 1957, to Carol Donnelly. They were married for 68 years and lovingly raised 4 children, Layne, Julia, James and Theresa in Arco, ID.

Ron worked as a car and heavy equipment mechanic and as a flight mechanic while serving in the Navy where he developed his love for flight. Finally, Ron had a long security career where he held various positions at the INEL. He retired from there in 1989.

As a civic leader in Arco, he was active in the local VFW Post and Volunteer Fire Department and was the Arco Airport Commissioner. He was an active member in the Lions Club International where he held several leadership positions. The members provided vision testing for school children. Alongside the other club members, Ron dyed and hid hundreds of Easter eggs for the children’s hunt and worked with the members to prepare and manage the Blizzard Mountain ski hill.

Ron was a man of many talents. In addition to his professional skill as a mechanic, he was a private mechanic and spent several years rebuilding a classic 1937 Ford, often seen in local parades. He also saw that each of his children had a beautifully rebuilt car when they were of driving age. Ron was a published “Cowboy Poetry” author, and he played the guitar. Ron was also an artist with his drawings limited to horses and airplanes.

Ron’s love of flight was a joy in his life. He closely monitored the local flight activities and copiloted several trips. He was able to fly to on private planes to look at Arabian horses with the local doctor and to see an Alaskan glacier from the copilot seat. In 1970, he hosted Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, and Stuart Roosa at his home. They were in Arco to visit the Craters of the Moon in preparation for the Apollo 14 mission to the moon. Ron’s last flight was on a helicopter ride to Idaho Falls.

Ron is survived by his wife Carol, sons Layne (Glenda) and James (Rachael), daughters Julia and Theresa (Milt), 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Brothers Fred, Hal (Cindy) and Rusty (Danielle) and sisters Roma Lee Taylor, Linda Nelson (Steve) and Elaine Jason.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife, Nadine McAffee Jardine, brothers Marvin and Daryl, sisters Gaye Powell and Joyce Ousley, brothers and sister-In-law Don Powell, Richard Taylor and Sherry Jardine and son-in-law Parke Butcher.

A joyful service for Ron will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Arco LDS Church at 11:00 AM. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service. Interment and Military Rites will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco under the direction of the Anderson Family Funeral Home.