Ronald Keith Qualls

Ronald Keith Qualls, 82, lifelong Twin Falls resident, passed away on February 25, 2017.  He was born to Clifford and Lucille Qualls on August 18, 1934.  He was the middle child between his brother, Tim and sister, Naomi (Brown).

He grew up hunting, fishing, participating in rodeo, and lettering in football and track for Twin Falls High School.  At an early age, his father taught him and his brother the electrical trade.  After high school he attended classes at Idaho State university, completing his electrician certification, and then he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served in Korea for two years.  At this time, he partnered with his father and brother to purchase the canyon rim, Parke Ranch off Hankins Road.  On August 15, 1955 he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Verlene Porter and he joined the family business, Twin Falls Electric.  He and Betty moved a small home onto the ranch, and settled there for 45 years, raising their sons, Dusty (1957) and Downey (1960). 

He enjoyed raising high performance quarter horses and bucking bulls on the ranch.  He had his two boys hunting, fishing and test piloting broncs and bulls at an early age.  Betty and Keith enjoyed hosting many riding club bull riding events at the ranch arena.  They also danced at the Elks, played cards, fished the local water ways, and put their boys to sleep to the sound of crashing bowling pins. 

One of the highlights of Keith’s life was following his sons on the college and pro-bull riding circuits.  He was a strong supporter of the CSI Rodeo Team, acting as a sideline judge at the Annual Boxing Smokers, and providing rough stock for team events for many seasons.  He felt every bruise as each of his boy’s journeyed to win the Wilderness Circuit Finals in 1978 and 1981.  He raised some impressive bulls for various rodeo contractors. 

Another eventful time on the Park Ranch were the years of motorbikes racing over ranch land, the building of a launch pad, and the eventual, nationally recognized effort of Evil Knievel to jump the canyon in 1974.  Although it was a unique and memorable experience for the entire family, Keith was glad when crowds, the bikes and Evil’s RV hit the road, and he could go back to raising stock and doing electrical work.  In his 45 years as an electrician, he wired innumerable structures across the booming community, often single handedly. 

In 2000, the ranch was divided between the families, and Keith sold his share and moved to a small acreage in Filer.  He retired and especially enjoyed the time with his grandkids and great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parent and brother, Tim, sister-in-law Juanita, his wife Betty, and son, Dusty.  He is survived by his sister – Naomi and son-in-law Chuck Brown, son Downey, his grand-daughters – Chlodessa (Tyler Magnelli) and their son Paxton, and Brianna (Kyle Sanders), his step grand-daughter Jami and (Joey Latimer) grandson Jasper (Gretchen) Qualls and their daughter, Adelyn, and many nieces and nephews.  His great grandchildren, Paxton and Adelyn held a most special place in his heart!  This strong, loyal, bull-headed, tougher-than-dirt man will be dearly missed.  Sleep with the angels, Keith,  We will always love you.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd. in Twin Falls.  Those who wish may share memories and condolences on Keith’s memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.