[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING W. RONALD COALE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McNerney) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of 
my friend, W. Ronald Coale, who passed away on April 17, 2014.
  Ron was a native of Stockton, California. He went to local schools, 
graduated from Stockton College, and acquired a teaching certificate in 
the field of transportation and distribution from the University of 
California at Berkeley. Dedicated to his country, Ron was a veteran of 
the Korean war, serving in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.
  His life was dedicated to serving the community in a variety of jobs, 
including as a member of the Stockton Metropolitan Transit District 
Board of Directors; Stockton City Council, serving as vice mayor in 
1985; San Joaquin County Council of Governments; California Public 
Utility Commission; Stockton Port District Board of Port Commissioners.
  Appointed by the Stockton City Council to the Board of Port 
Commissioners in 1991, Ron served with distinction as the commissioner 
for 20 years. During his tenure on the Stockton Port Commission, Ron's 
leadership was apparent from the onset, and in the year 2000 he helped 
the Port of Stockton secure Rough and Ready Island from the United 
States Navy.
  By acquiring Rough and Ready Island, the Port of Stockton became the 
third largest port in California, the largest inland port in terms of 
acreage in California, and the second busiest inland port on the west 
coast. This allowed the Port of Stockton to better serve California's 
expanding agriculture industry, and is essential given its proximity to 
major transportation hubs in the State.
  Ron also served on various boards and commissions at the State and 
local levels in California. He was a former member of the advisory 
board of the YMCA of San Joaquin County, a member of the Stockton 
Salvation Army, and a former gubernatorial appointee to the Atascadero 
State Hospital Advisory Board. In these roles, Ron helped to reach our 
youth and help those in need.
  As a veteran, Ron was a member of Karl Ross Post of the American 
Legion in Stockton. He was a member of my U.S. service academy 
nomination committee. His knowledge and expertise was invaluable to the 
young men and women who are joining our Armed Forces. Ron was also a 
frequent visitor to my Stockton district office, and he knew my entire 
staff, and we appreciated him.
  Ron was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, the highest degree for a 
mason. He was appointed to the office of Personal Representative of the 
Sovereign Grand Inspector General of California for the Stockton 
Scottish Rite in April 1992, serving in that position until May 2003.
  He was instrumental in partnering the Stockton Scottish Rite 
Childhood Language Disorders Center and the speech and language 
department of the University of the Pacific. Throughout his 
partnership, the Stockton Center became a flagship for all Scottish 
Rite Childhood Language Disorders Centers in California, providing 
speech therapy treatment to children throughout our community. This 
center now serves approximately 100 children each week free of charge.
  Ron's impact on our community and lives around him will not be 
forgotten. Ron always brought a smile and a warm sense of humor. To 
know Ron was to know a dear friend. He was one of Stockton's most 
dedicated citizens, and we will miss him.
  Ron was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Ellen Coale. 
Ron is survived by his two sons, Ronald W. and Michael W., and five 
grandchildren: Ronald Thomas, Stephanie Lynn, Christopher Aaron, 
Jeffrey Michael, and Tyler Joseph Coale.

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