Ronald James Santi, 86

Ron Santi, 86, of Meridian passed away Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, at Meridian Meadows of natural causes. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Christ Lutheran Church, 1406 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian. Military honors and committal will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Ron was born on April 27, 1935, in Ironwood, Mich., to Wilbert and Evie Santi. Ron’s family moved to Mullan, Idaho, his Sophomore year of high school where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Mullan High School in 1953. Ron passed up several college athletic scholarships in multiple sports to join the Army in the fall of 1953.

After receiving his honorable discharge, he married his lifelong companion, Mary Skeman, in January 1958. Ron and Mary had two children, Michael (1958) and Robert (1960) and resided them in Kellogg, Idaho, until 1978 when they moved to the Treasure Valley.

After graduating from the University of Idaho in 1967, Ron spent his career with the state of Idaho Transportation Department as a Civil Engineer except for a short stint as Shoshone County Engineer.

Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing and coaching his boys. Then, he discovered golf in the early 1970s. Ron became an avid golfer where he played into his early 80s. He once recorded more than 320 rounds of golf in one year.

In his retirement, he became his five grandchildren’s biggest fan where he watched football, basketball, soccer, golf, baseball and softball. When he wasn’t golfing or watching his grandchildren compete, he could be found at a University of Idaho football game where he was a season ticket holder and booster for several decades. Ron was also a lifelong Elks member.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Santi and Evie and Melvin Baillie. Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; his two sons, Mike (MaryLou Bell) Santi of Boise and Bob (Steffani) Santi of Nampa; five grandchildren, Nichole (Cliff) Gaylin of Nampa, Daniel (Stefani) Santi of Middleton, Megan Santi of Boise, Tyler (Carlos) Santi of Caldwell and Maryssa (Matt) Prosser of Salem, Ore.; and his three great-granddaughters, Raevyn, Alexzandrya and Edith.

The family would like to thank Meridian Meadows Care Facility for the outstanding care they gave Ron while he was living there and Keystone Hospice for the wonderful care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ron’s memory to the Kellogg Elks Lodge No. 1841, 202 1/2 McKinley Ave., Kellogg, ID 83837.

Services are under the care of Accent Funeral Home and Cremation, Meridian. Remembrances may be left for Ron’s family at www.AccentFuneral.com.