Ronald Hugh Brink passed from this world peacefully in his sleep during the evening of Sunday, September 29, 2024 in Spokane, WA. He was 86 years old.

Ron was born in Orlando, FL on February 1, 1938 to Jesse Brink and Nell Turner Brink. He was raised variously in east Tennessee and central Florida. After graduating from Chuckey High School in Tennessee, Ron attended East Tennessee State University and then the University of Tennessee where he graduated in 1960 with a BS in Transportation and a commission in the United States Air Force. He served 24 years in the Air Force, first as a KC-97 pilot, then as a KC-135 pilot, retiring in 1984 after a long and storied career. In his retirement, Ron flew NKC-135s for the Navy as a contractor, then taught KC-10, KC-135, and C-17 simulators for the Air Force.

Ron married Anna Lorraine Jones in 1960 and together, they had three children: Rhonda Lynn in 1961, Randall Larry in 1962, and Nancy Marie in 1966. Their passionate marriage ended with Lorraine's passing in 2006 due to complications arising from a heart transplant nearly 10 years earlier. He subsequently married Clydene McCreary, whom he met in Sunday School, and who survives him in Spokane.

Ron was a firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, was active in prison ministry, and regularly attended Spokane's Southside Christian Church until his health failed him.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Nell and Jesse, his younger sister, Mitzi, and his grandson, Thomas. He is survived by his three children, Rhonda (Tom), Randy (Colleen), and Nancy (Rob), and two step children, Tod Anderson (Annie) and Linda Olson (Mark), six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Ron will be interred at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to your local prison ministry.