euskalkultura.eus

04/16/2023 - Boise, Idaho, USA

Our patriarch and beloved Ronald Lee Sabala “Pooh” passed away on April 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was welcomed into heaven by Our Lord and Savior, his parents, brother Don, son Rich and many other dear family members and friends.

Ron and his identical twin brother Don were born in Boise, Idaho on Sept. 24th, 1939, to Louie and Rua Dell Sabala. Ron attended North Junior High School serving proudly as their Student Body President then graduated from Boise High School in 1958. He attended Boise Junior College (BSU) and then the University of Idaho for only one semester. He left early to assist his mother with his father's failing health and death soon thereafter. At that time, he, and his brother Don at the age of 22 started Sabala Bros Food Brokerage in 1962. They built their company into one of the most highly regarded brokerage agencies in the Intermountain region.

Ron married the love of his life Diana Urresti on August 21st, 1965. They were soul mates. Diana was a devoted wife and partner and continues to be an amazing mother to their four sons (Lou, John, Nick, and Rich) and grandmother to their grandchildren. Diana always said Ron was her rock, and the feeling was mutual. They had a profound love and appreciation for one another.

Ron served on the Basque Center Board and then became President in 1973. He then led a lofty effort for the fundraising, design, and completion of a total remodel for the Boise Basque Center. He later received the “Legacy Award” in recognition for his leadership and contributions to the Basque Center. He and Diana are exceptionally proud of their Basque Heritage and passed that on to our families.

In 1978, Ron moved his family to Salt Lake City to develop a new branch of their business. He was highly respected in the food and retail industry and by his many business associates and employees for his work ethic and integrity.

Another one of Ron’s memorable experiences was when he became a part owner and the only local owner of the Salt Lake City Trappers baseball Team in 1985. He along with some of his closest friends & partners celebrated an unmatched feat of winning 29 straight games earning them a spot in the Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He was also recently interviewed by the producer and director of the forthcoming documentary about the Trappers.

In 1993, after the passing of their son and our brother Rich, they committed the next 30 years of their lives to the foundation in Rich’s name, the Richard Joseph Sabala Foundation. Due to their efforts, leadership, and amazing support of family, dear friends, sponsors, and participants of the annual RJS Golf Invitational, and the McCall community; they were successful in building two athletic facilities for the community of McCall: the ice and event center and the football and track & field complex. The continued proceeds from the tournament benefits the ice rink endowment for its perpetuity and many other causes such as the Little Ski Hill, Bike Trails, scholarships and several other meaningful programs and projects of the McCall Donnelly area.

Ron was a true leader. No matter what the goal was in his business or communities you could count on his success. During his business years he served on the Broker Advisory boards of several large companies i.e. all five divisions of Johnson and Johnson, Mars Foods, Chicken of the Sea Company, Kal Kan Company, Sylvania, and Coca Cola Foods.

Ron retired in 1998 after selling his company to Advantage Sales and Marketing, which has since become what is now Advantage Solutions. He and Diana enjoyed a young retirement traveling the world and enjoying memorable moments with their sons, wives, and grandchildren.

Ron and Diana were over the moon welcoming their grandchildren into the world. No matter the occasion, event, or accomplishment, they were always present and loved to support their grandchildren. They were devoted to them with their time, caring love and immense pride and joy in each of them.

In 2014, Ron and Diana took all 16 family members (three sons, three daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren) on a memorable family trip to the Basque Country. They introduced us to extended relatives, and to beautiful places filled with our family history. Ron and Diana visited the Basque Country several times prior, so watching them thrive in each unique place we visited, including their old family homes, was truly the most amazing experience.

Ron was an incredible teacher through example and wisdom. He preached to us to be responsible citizens, always honest and loyal. He personally represented these qualities every day of his life. He was our guiding light who will continue to light our way.

Ron was passionate about bird hunting with his sons and friends. They hunted together in the fields of Idaho, Nevada, Mexico, Argentina, and Africa. So many great memories of not only the days in the field but the memorable pheasant dinners for which we would all celebrate the successful hunts. Watching their hunting dogs work in those fields gave Ron such great pleasure.

He was an avid reader of many subjects and enjoyed his extensive book collection. After four strokes and a heart attack, Ron continued to carry on with amazing fortitude, grace, and dignity. Last summer, he enjoyed his last pontoon ride on the beautiful Payette Lake with his family. Oh – how he smiled! His “Happy Place” in life was in McCall sharing wonderful gatherings with family and friends.

Ron proved himself to be a man of honor, respect, and commitment. He was quiet in nature but when he led or spoke you listened and followed.

Ron is survived by those he referred to as his greatest legacy: his esteemed wife Diana, his pride and joys his sons and their beautiful wives: Lou/Suzie, John/Katy, Nick/Meredith and his eight grandchildren: Betsy, Rich, Emma, Dan, John Jr (JJ), Sara, Amaya, and his namesake Ron. Other survivors: his many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and many cousins for whom he loved.

We should all consider ourselves blessed knowing our deep grief was born in our profound love for our Pooh.

We will miss his radiant generosity, warm spirit and sense of humor that made us laugh and smile. His love, humility, wisdom and courage will always be with us. Ron’s last words to us were “I love you” and “thank you”. A beautiful testament to his love for our family. We love you Pooh and we thank you.

Rest in peace with Babe!

Ron’s memorial service will be held Saturday, May 13th, at 1pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

(as published on Cloverdale Funeral Home)

Goian Bego (GB) - May Rest in Peace