Ronald Bruce Karr, 79, died Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

He was born November 16, 1944 in Bellingham, Washington to GC "Doe" and Hazel (Jacobsen) Karr.  He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1963 and received an Associates Degree from Skagit Valley College in 1965.

Ron joined the Navy in 1967.  He was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Midway for two years where he maintained aircraft computers.  Following that, he was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island until 1973.

Ron pursued a life-long love of flying.  He began flying lessons when he was 14 years old, completed his first solo flight at 16, and received his pilot's license at 17.

After serving in the Navy, Ron became a partner in Bill Swanland's crop dusting business, forming Swanland Karr, Inc. in 1973.  For ten years he dusted the fields of Skagit Valley before moving to the Seattle area.  There he worked for the FAA, first as an accident inspector then as a commercial flight safety inspector.  Ron became a commercial jet pilot in 1997, ultimately retiring in Burlington, Washington in 2000.  He spent his retirement building airplanes, sea kayaking, riding his Honda Goldwing, skiing, and driving his 1957 Thunderbird.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon (Karr) Dorsey. He is survived by his daughter, Marcia Karr, and her partner, Edward Vinyard, of Austin, Texas; cousins Tim, Michael, and Chris Jacobsen and their families; nieces Janey Dorsey and Sondi Stone and their families; and his partner of 17 years, Barbara Collins of Mount Vernon, Washington.

Ron's family would like to thank the entire staff at Birchview Memory Care and Hospice of the Northwest for their hard work and exceptional care.  No services are being held at this time.  Ron's family plans to celebrate his life later this summer.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.