Roland Franklin "Ron" Potts

Oct. 18, 1956 – Feb. 9, 2018

A memorial service will be held for Roland Franklin “Ron” Potts Jr., 61, of Coos Bay, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3355 Virginia Ave., North Bend. A celebration of life will follow at the ILWU Local 12 Hiring Hall, 2064 Sheridan Ave., North Bend. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Coos Bay.

Ron was born Oct. 18, 1956 in North Bend, the son of Roland Franklin Sr. and Dalene (Wright) Potts. He was raised in Coos Bay and attended Marshfield High School. Ron went to work on the waterfront as a casual for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 12. For many years, he worked as a longshoreman walking on and loading log rafts, working down in the hatch and up in the crane. He also served as chairman of the labor relations committee, vice president of Local 12, and as a dispatcher.

Ron was an accomplished musician and loved to play jazz with many musicians throughout the Bay Area. He built a wonderful home for his family with his own hands and the help of many close friends. His greatest achievement in life was as a husband, father, and “Papa” to his beloved grandchildren. He made an impact on all those who knew him well. He will be deeply missed by his family, his fellow longshoremen and all the musicians and friends he has come to know.

He is survived by his mother, Dalene Potts of North Bend; wife, Laurie Beth (Randall) Potts of Coos Bay; children, Orin Potts and Ashley Berg of Coos Bay, Corinne Potts of Coos Bay, and Niles and Myndee Potts of Vancouver, Wash.; grandchildren, Emma, Natalie, Ben, Andrew, Katherine, Christian, and Naomi on the way; two sisters, Kathleen McDonald of Coos Bay, and Karen Corder of Knappa; brother, Robert Potts of Coos Bay; and many cousins, nieces and nephews including Adrienne, Heidi, Scott and Jeremy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roland Potts Sr.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay, Oregon 541-267-4216.