Ronald J Burnside

Ronald J Burnside quietly slipped away from us just before dawn on May 6th, 2025.

Ron was born in Driggs, Idaho on June 10th, 1943, sixth of the nine children of George Vernon Burnside and Elda Burnside. He lived most of his life in Driggs, Idaho. Ron moved in 2009 to the ranch just outside of Tetonia, Idaho. The ranch had been his dream and was the culmination of a lifetime of hard work with his wife Charlene Weeks Burnside.

Ron and Charlene were married in May of 1964 and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple. Ron and Charlene had six children: James (Kim) Burnside of Wyoming, Jay (Stephanie) Burnside of Tetonia, Idaho, Jessie (Steve) Kerbs of Driggs Idaho, Collette (Mike) Nichols of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Shane Burnside of Tetonia, Idaho, and Amber (Nate) Peterson of Utah, as well as Colin Weeks of Wyoming.

Ron spent his early years milking cows for Dustin’s. He began working for Common’s Poultry hauling chickens at the age of eighteen. He then worked for Hopper Densel, after which he began work with the Star Valley Cheese Factory collecting milk from various dairy farms in the region. He would rise long before dawn to do this, 365 days a year for decades. After retiring from the Cheese Factory, Ron went to work for the State of Idaho Department of Transportation, driving on road crews and keeping Pine Creek pass safe in winter before finally retiring.

Throughout his years in Driggs, Ron could always be counted on to help, however and where ever he was needed, usually without being asked. It was not uncommon to see him plowing driveways in winter and cutting hay in summer for neighbors near and far.

Ron loved hunting and fishing, in fact he fed his family primarily wild game for decades. He also kept horses for most of his life. He used them hunting big game and in rodeo events with family members. Later in life he could be seen holding the reins of his prized Percherons, hitched to wagons or sleds to give rides around Driggs streets and at various events throughout the area.

He loved “melt cheese,” (cheese sliced on a plate and melted in the microwave) and he passed that love on to his children and grandchildren. Knowing that cheese straight from the factory tasted far better than that from grocery stores, Ron would often gift his friends, neighbors, and family 2 lb. blocks of cheese or a bag of much coveted squeaky cheese curds.

Ron was no more perfect than any of us. First and always he was a working man, with big hands, a bigger personality, the biggest heart, and an unwavering belief in hard work. His influence was also large and cannot be overstated. He will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him. And finally, we must grin back at a vision of him on horseback in the hills, eyes twinkling, face grinning, holding the reins of one of his favorites, Blackie or Deano.

Ron was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was preceded in death by his father Vernon, his mother Elda, his brothers Vern, Doug, Glade, and Del Ray, and his sister Geralyn. He is survived by all of his children as well as his siblings Nancy Barker, Denzil Burnside, and Ronda Moss. Ron was much loved by his grandchildren and he enjoyed seeing them and spending time them, as did they with him. As of his passing, he could boast twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-two greatgrandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Ron’s memory to Idaho Fish and Game’s Citizens Against Poaching.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Tetonia LDS Church at 11 am. A visitation wil be Friday evening from 6:30-8 pm at the Grand Teton Funeral Home in Driggs. There will be another visitation at the church from 9:30-10:45 prior to the funeral.

To watch the funeral remotely go to https://zoom.us/j/96872391405