Ronald Paul Searle passed away at age 66 on October 31, 2022.
Ron was a man of great caliber, a legend to many who knew him and an inspiration to all those that knew him.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Loraine Cook Searle. He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Snow), his 8 children, Rachael Olson (Zach), Nicole Carmichael (Jaron), Taylor (Laurie Beames), Shauna Crittenden (Josh), Todd (Justine Petersen), Tyson, TJ (Kayla Keith), and Trevan, as well as their 23 grandchildren. Also surviving is his father, Paul Searle, and his siblings Kathy Gardner (Dave), LeAnne Hoopes (Dan), Scott Searle (Jennifer), and Steven Searle (Tonie).
Ron was born on October 21, 1956, in Provo, Utah. He grew up in California and Oregon, then moved to St. George, Utah, as a teenager. There he graduated from Dixie High School where he met his future wife, Peggy. Ron served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Italy Padova mission from 1975-1977. Afterwards he attended and graduated from Dixie College (1979) and then Brigham Young University (1981). While obtaining his education, Ron and Peggy were married in the St. George Temple on Dec. 16, 1978.
Ron and Peggy moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1981. He lived and raised his family in Mesa and Gilbert. It was during this time that he affected many young men and women as a Seminary and Institute teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ron was also privileged to serve in the church: bishoprics, young men’s, scouting, and Sunday school instructor. His favorite calling was always working with the young men. He knew how to teach in a way that just stuck, went straight to the heart, and stayed. Even now, over 40 years later, the mere mention of the name, Ron Searle, brings a smile to the faces of past students as they recall the influence he had in their lives. He was a master teacher and influence for good.
During that time, he also owned and operated a local jewelry store, The Diamond Consortium, located in Mesa, Arizona. Many local couples happily recall it was where they had a great experience purchasing their engagement rings. Even there he taught – a person didn’t buy a diamond without knowing the 4Cs.
Retiring from teaching and the jewelry business, he decided to fulfill his dream and made a bold move to Arivaca, Arizona, where he started the Arivaca Boys Ranch. This is where his love of adventure, horses, sharing the gospel and passion for helping the youth all merged into one. Many lives of both staff and boys were changed by his love for them and the things he taught.
Ron is beloved by all who knew him because he treated people with compassion and cared for them as if they were members of his family. He truly knew how to make anyone feel welcome. It was one of his many gifts that will continue to give, even in the afterlife. He displayed many Christlike qualities in his too short earthly life. He will be deeply missed, but his memory and example of how to serve others and show love to one another will live on.
Visitation services will be held on Thursday, November 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bunker Family Funeral Home located at 3529 E. University, Mesa, AZ, 85213.
A funeral will be held in his honor on Friday, November 11. Visitation service is from 12-12:45 p.m. and the funeral service starts at 1 p.m. at the church located at 1010 S. Recker Rd. Gilbert, AZ. 85296.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
The work you did with the young men at Arivaca Boys Ranch will not be forgotten and neither will you. The young men will carry on your values and teach others to be men of integrity.
What a blessing Ron was gave so much to encourage our boys., my son you would be proud. Thank you Ron you will be missed and remembered! 😢🙏
Thank you for the opportunity to volunteer at the Arivaca boys ranch. It was a rewarding time in my life. Seeing you work with those boys in the classroom teaching the Arbinger Institute methods was truly amazing.
And the for me to be able to teach the Perelli methods of horsemanship was a challenge that I enjoyed. These two disciplines where the core of your program. Each boys relationship with their assign horse was a gift that they soon came to realize would change their perspective on life and give them a new course to follow. It was your Genius Ron that came together in this time in your life that changed the lives of so many young men for the better. May you RIP
So sorry Peggy. I wish you the very best and know of the good and bad times ahead. My prayers are with your family
Ron was a great man, he taught me so many valuable lessons that I will carry with me for life. I am so grateful to have known Ron and will miss him dearly. I can’t wait to meet him at the pearly gates.
Condolences to Ron’s family and friends. Truly a wonderful person and touched many lives.
I met Ron at a time in my life where I needed so much help and support. I came to Arivaca Ranch ready to learn and get better. It wasn’t easy but the support system helped me to grow so much. Arbinger taught me to become a man. A man full of integrity and so much more. We would all gather around Ron when he was feeling well and he would tell us stories and teach us the ways of Arbinger. We would watch him in awe. He treated us all with respect even though he was in so much pain. The pain didn’t define Ron at all. His love and compassion for others made him a man of not only respect but integrity. Ron’s wife Peggy is also a woman of great respect in the eyes of so many. I remember when she patched some of my clothes and even on graduation day ironed my clothes. Both Ron and Peggy are amazing people who have impacted so many by making and doing the little things that count. Ron, you will be missed by many including myself. Thank you for showing me the way. With much love Alex.
Ron made a profound and positive difference in my grandson’s life. Ever grateful for Ron and the Arivaca Boys Ranch. May he Rest In Peace .
My boys, family, and friends are all so sad to learn of Ron’s passing. He has had a remarkable impact on a great many young men through his loving optimism and compassion toward troubled youth and families. Thank you to Ron, the caring team that he developed at the Ranch and to his family for their work and sacrifices. With deepest sympathy…
Ron made a lasting impact on me. As my seminary teacher his love for the gospel and his inspiring lessons still come to mind frequently as I work with the youth in my ward. He had a special warmth and I wish I would’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with him again. My condolences to his family and to all at Arivaca Ranch.
I am blessed to have known Ron. He had so much love for those boys, teaching them to be men and to overcome any disability. Ron believed that every boy was worth saving. I pray that God will comfort his family as well as his ABR family. And I pray that ABR will continue in its mission, staying true to Ron’s vision.
Ron always listened before speaking. He was my seminary teacher and my wife has a ring on her finger we bought from him. I recently had a friend that was considering Arivaca Boys Ranch for his son. I told him I would trust Ron with all of my boys. He took my recommendation. Ron was a great example of how to serve and lift others up.
I loved Ron! He always treated me as a good teacher and friend. I am so sorry he is gone. My the Lord bless you all with comfort!!
Working at Ron’s ranch is an experience that I treasure.
We are saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. Our condolences to the Searle family.
Bro. Searle was one of my institute teachers. I see a lot of wonderful comments about how he helped young men. I want to add that as a young adult woman I was grateful for all the ways that Bro. Searle guarded and protected the daughters in his stewardship as well as teaching us the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a good example of a man trying to follow the Savior!
Ron was the principal my first full-time year teaching seminary. I started school a week late due to the death of my brother. Ron looked out for me that year and I am so grateful for his mentoring. His teachings about light have forever expanded my perspective. No doubt he’s teaching again in heavenly realms. Sending all my love for the tender days ahead.
Bro. Searle was an excellent instructor at the Institute at ASU. He also was always looking for ways to improve and expand options. One of those ways was the LDS Business Forum class in which he arranged for members of the church (typically who had successful and interesting careers) to come in and talk about their values and how they live the gospel in their business life. It was an amazing class that blessed many of us. I have many great memories in every class I took with Bro. Searle.