Obituaries

Ronald James Johns

Photo of Ronald James Johns
Ronald James Johns passed away on April 12, 2018 at age 75. He was born September 11, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas to Ava Johns and Hazel Marie (Courtney) Johns. Ronald resided in rural Winslow, Ark., since 1983. Ronald's viewing and funeral were on April 16, 2018, at First Baptist Church of Winslow, Pastor Greg Dold officiating. Services were under direction of Moore's Funeral Chapel of Fayetteville, Ark. Ronald's obituary was in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette on April 14. The following writing was lovingly done May 14, 2018 by his brother, Buddy Johns, and his sister, Marcia Johns. For an unabridged version of this memorial go to www.mooresfuneralchapel.com. In 1965 Ronald married Patricia Jean Michael. They had one child, a son DJ. Ronald is survived by DJ (Django Johns DuBose), DJ's wife, Jillian; a granddaughter, Evlin Jennifer DuBose; and a grandson, James Michael DuBose, all of Austin, Texas. Ronald is also survived by a brother, Buddy Ava Johns Jr., and a sister, Marcia Lorraine Johns, both of Wichita, Kan. Preceding Ronald in death were his parents; two sisters, Gloria Marie Johns and Janice Ann Johns; and one brother, Gilbert Johns, all of Wichita. Ronald was greatly loved by his family and friends, and Ron loved his family and friends greatly. He enjoyed proudly telling of his family's successes. It was important to him to spend time talking with his friends. He cheered people with his great sense of humor. His schools were Martinson, Allison, and West High, in Wichita. From Wichita State University Ron graduated with B.A. degrees in English and mathematics and an M.A. in English. He earned a Ph.D. (ABD) in English from the University of Oklahoma at Norman. He taught there and at Kansas State University. Other teachers expressed high opinions of his teaching. Ron was described as brilliant. He wrote fine poetry, taught English and math, and was expert in history and current events. Ron was a talented stonemason. An example of his work is the gateway just east of Arkansas's Scenic U.S. Highway 71 and across from the Brentwood, Arkansas Community Building. In the construction of a large industrial building near Fayetteville, Ron was responsible for the walls to be at exact right angles. A surveyor found the results to be nearly perfect. Ron also built high-domed roofs on churches by rappelling. One such roof is on the First Free Will Baptist Church, Hot Springs, Ark. Ron is remembered for his soft-heartedness toward helping people. One time while being taken by his brother to the emergency room he insisted on stopping and helping a friend who was having car trouble. In recent months, though ill himself, he stood in the cold to call 911 and wait for medics to help an unconscious stranger in a parking lot. Ron learned building skills from his father. Ron and his brother Buddy built a model railroad. The three went fishing and hunting together. Ron and his mom shared gardening, and Ron loved his mom's homemade pies. He was impressed by his sister Gloria's church job and her dramas of the first Christmas. Ron and his sister Marcia liked to gather family history and hike together. His sister Janice and he bird-watched, and they ice-skated on a frozen pond. Ron liked to camp, watch rodeos and baseball, ride horseback and travel. After Ron and Patricia Michael married in Wichita they moved to Oklahoma. Patricia was an artist and Ron spoke of his great admiration for her artwork. Ron and Patricia were blessed with the birth of their son DJ. Over the years their family enjoyed watersports, later shared with Jill, Evlin, and James. Ron was delighted to take DJ and DJ's family swimming at Devil's Den State Park near Winslow. Ron celebrated DJ's engineering degree and the high school graduations of Evlin and James. Ron loved sharing music. He sang, played guitar, piano, and other instruments. He built and played mountain dulcimers. Famous banjo player Alan Munde was a friend of Ron and Patricia and entitled a song after the name of their pet dog. Also, Ron met Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. He attended concerts by Tommy Emmanuel and Itzhak Perlman. Ron selected more than 20 gospel songs done by his favorite musicians and had a special album made, which he enjoyed playing for others. He distributed copies of the Billy Graham DVD The Cross, copies of the publication Guidepost, and placards of Psalms. "Everything Jesus said was right," was Ron's testimony to his family. While driving alongside mountain scenery listening to a reading of Psalm 8 about God's majesty, Ron witnessed that God is able to create His handiwork in just an instant. Ron loved the beauty of the Ozark Mountains, and he loved his woods with its animals and birds. One of Ron's doctors said to him not long ago, "Ron, you're a strong mountain man." Ron loved God, America, his family, and his friends. Ron was greatly loved and will always be greatly loved, remembered, and missed.

Published June 3, 2018

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