Ronnie DeSoto

Ronnie DeSoto was born in Ukiah and was a lifelong resident of the community, a proud member and secretary/treasurer of the Yokayo Pomo Tribe.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his mother Frances Whittaker; father Bud Desoto; brother Joe Rosas; sister Debbie Hoppes; brother Bill (Jay) Villagomes; Tyvin Whittaker; niece Rebecca Enriquez; nephew Nathan Villagomes, niece Justyce Vedolla; and his beloved cat, Marlee.

Ronnie is survived by his siblings: Curtis DeSoto, Bobby DeSoto, Pam Shaw, Rita Williams, Shirley Enriquez, Lisa Waggoner (Gene), Marie Villagomes, Gloria Carter, Gary (Ulysses) Villagomes (Cindy),Johnny Villagomes (Elaina), Fred Villagomes (Charlene), Nancy Raylene Burke (Cody) and over 75 nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was a lifelong learner.  He played sports, started coaching his sister Raylene's girls softball and then moved over to basketball including coaching Red Storm and the Running Rebels with his nieces. He organized the elementary track meets and the Redwood Run, played Hopland basketball senior league. He could juggle, jump rope, and make his famous ribs. He made ginger bread houses, was always a runner, and was a VW car enthusiast (and part of the Salano Driving Club). He was involved in tribal teachings whether participating in MMIP conferences, tribal cook out, or teaching how to surf fishing. Most recently, he made the cross country team at Mendocino College at 57 and was learning Northern Pomo.

His favorite teams were UNLV, Stanford, Golden State Warriors, and the 90's Oakland A's. He was a fan of the peanuts, Prince and Billy Mills, who he met.

He was known as Ronnie, Spopse, RTG (Ronnie the Great), Coach, brother, uncle, son, Baa Jawinin na:m (the running man - Northern Pomo) and Baiya Chun (the running man - Central Pomo).

Please join us for a life well lived and share your stories.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Coyote Valley Gym on October 10th at 10 am.