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It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Ronald Stamps, affectionately known as “Ron” or “Charlie.” Ron lived a remarkable life marked by love, adventure, and an enduring dedication to family, friends, and community.
Ron was born on June 13, 1941, in Colgate, Oklahoma and lovingly raised by his mother, Vivian Recagno, and dad, Frank Recagno in Willits. While he lived in many places, he ultimately spent most of his life in Willits. Ron passed away at home on June 23, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by his wife and daughters.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Joyce Stamps; his cherished daughters, Tanya (Greg) Musgrave, Michelle (Michael) McCaffrey, and Alicia (Gage) Stamps-Haneir; and his beloved grandchildren, Devin McCaffrey, Owen McCaffrey, and Cedar Stamps-Haneir. He also leaves behind his fostered family members: Kate Fisher-Lémon, Rikke Tambour-Johanson (Denmark), Kristin Brokamp (Germany), and Alexei Kotovenko (Russia), as well as a wide circle of friends and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents Vivian and Frank Recagno, biological father Cecil Stamps, his brothers Wendell Stamps, Aubrey Stamps, and his son Derek Stamps.
Ron loved his country and served as an Air Police Officer in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965 during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, Ron embarked on a storied career. His first job out of the military was with Northwestern Pacific Railroad as a relief telegrapher. In 1967, fate brought him to his wife, Joyce (Andrews), on a blind date in Santa Rosa, and ten months later, they began their lifelong journey together as husband and wife.
As life evolved and his family grew, Ron found new adventures in the transportation industry. Moving a few times between Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Sacramento counties, he at one point moved his family from California to Colorado and then to New Mexico to work for Nobel Food Distribution, overseeing both the Denver and New Mexico facilities as the vice president of Transportation Logistics. Family events brought him back home to Willits, where Ron became fondly known as “Charlie” while working as a truck driver for Lyly & Sons Trucking, Dockins Trucking, Rabanda Transportation, and Mathews Logging before retiring in 2005.
Ron loved fishing in his younger years and taught his children to fish. He was physically active in his fifties and regularly rode his bicycle with his best friend from childhood, Mike Hinton. They talked each other into a few wild adventures with experiences in Mexico. Starting from Willits, the pair rode their bicycles to places like Soda Bay, Fort Bragg and Santa Rosa without pause.
Ron’s life was filled with enthusiasm for exploration. An accomplished storyteller, he often recounted tales from his days on the road, including memorable celebrity encounters and joyful mischief. He was a passionate world traveler alongside Joyce, exploring 43 countries independently. Their adventures included a journey through Asia and Southeast Asia for over four months and a three-month excursion to South America.
When traveling was no longer easily accomplished, Ron found enjoyment writing short stories and ultimately authored a self-published book, “Cowboys, Loggers, Airports and Airplanes,” in 2013. During his senior years he reconnected with many high school friends who were also in Willits. Warren Lewis and Ron walked regularly throughout Willits’ Westside. Ron and John Yde were two of the original founders of the Willits Shifters Car Club. These friends, along with Johnie Meader, Dave Edgar, Pat Rowan, Mike Hinton and others started a “coffee club” where they met regularly for downtown morning coffee to swap stories of grandeur, pains and ailments, and argue politics.
Ron’s life was a tapestry of love, resilience, and adventure. His legacy will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of life for family and friends will be announced at a later date.