Ronald Leroy Spaulding, 79

Ronald Leroy Spaulding, 79, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away peacefully April 24, 2025, surrounded by his family. Ronald was born May 31, 1945, in Orange County Calif., where he was raised near the Juaneno Reservation of the Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation. 

His family later moved to Santa Ana, Calif., where he lived until he left California at the age of 14. He traveled around the United States by hopping trains and hitchhiking. He worked a variety of jobs around the nation and became a jack of all trades. He finally ended up in Osburn, Idaho, in 1969, where he made his home and became a hard-rock miner and diamond driller for the Sunshine Mine, where he worked until he retired. He had many interesting stories about his time there. 

He had two marriages in his lifetime. The second was to the love of his life, Sharon Phyllis Spaulding Foote, who preceded him in death in 2003. 

He is survived by his children, whom he loved very much: Christine Sink Spaulding, Ricky Spaulding, Maria Dienes Spaulding, Robyn Best Spaulding, Stacy Waller, Sherrie Neidigh Foote, Kenneth Foote and Sally White Foote. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and many more great-grandchildren.

He was passionate about long drives in the mountains, camping, fishing and hunting. He loved to share his knowledge with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also an experienced wood carver. He carved many wood spirit carvings and other animals until he was unable to do so.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 2 p.m., at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg, Idaho.

Graveside services for immediate family will be held at Shoshone Memorial Gardens in Kingston, Idaho, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. A celebration of life reunion for the Spaulding clan is to be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, At Gene Day Park in Osburn, Idaho, after the graveside services. 

Memories of Ronald and messages of condolence may be shared online with this family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the family with arrangements.