Obituary for R L Chaney

6/19/1926 – 1/16/2022

R L Chaney (Ron) was born June 19, 1926 in Portland OR. His family moved to Bonneville, OR and it is there that he graduated from Stevenson High School in 1944. He then entered the Army Air Force from which he was discharged in 1945. After attending college for two years he enlisted in the Army Air Corps aviation cadet program. He graduated as a 2nd LT in 1949. In total, he spent 29 years serving his country – the last 26 years in the US Air Force which was established in 1947.

While stationed at Malmstrom AFB, MT he met his future wife, Carol J Chaney, a nurse at a local hospital. They were married six weeks later. While in the Air Force he received a Bachelors degree (University of Washington) and Masters degree (George Washington University) in Business Administration. During his military career he served in many locations both in the US and overseas. His son Jerry was born on Guam during their 2-year tour at Anderson AFB. R L flew many missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. This award is given for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. His Air Force career included flight instructor of T-33 aircraft, Commander of KC-135 Tanker Aircraft, and Squadron Commander of Aerial Port Squadrons in Japan as well as Dover AFB, DE. When he retired from the Air Force in 1973 he held the rank of Colonel.

After retirement, he and Carol moved to Utah and started businesses including three retail apparel stores, a wholesale apparel distributing warehouse, and a screen–printing company. After selling the businesses in 1989, R L became a SCORE small business counselor for the Small Business Administration in Salt Lake City, UT. After moving to Oak Harbor, WA in 1990, he continued as a SCORE volunteer for over 20 years.

R L is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol J Chaney, his son Jerry L Chaney (Margaret) of SLC, UT, two grandsons Matt (Haddie) and Nick Chaney, and his great-granddaughter, Zoe Chaney all of UT. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Right at Home for the wonderful care provided over the last few years. Special thanks and love to R L’s primary caregiver, Delaiah Scott.

Services will be announced at a later date.