Ronald Percy Getty was born on February 10, 1898 in Blue Earth, Faribault County, Minnesota. He was the son of John Grant, III and Nellie (Sailer) Getty.

On August 29, 1922, he married Julia Annette McCallie in Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho. They had two children:

1. Ronald "Mac" Getty

2. Joanne "Jody" Getty

Ronald died on February 5, 1964 at the age of 65 in Lewiston. He is buried at the Normal Hill Cemetery in that town.