Ron Rose

We celebrate and honor the life of Ron Rose, who punched his transfer ticket from this life into the next on November 2, 2024, at the age of 78. He passed peacefully, yet unexpectedly, joining his beloved and recently passed wife, Lyn.

Ron's pride and joy was his family. He is survived by his daughters Julie Hinshaw and Joy Rose and their families, including five grandchildren Grant, Garrett, Halle Grace, Tyler, and Zoey. In addition to Lyn, he joins other loved ones in Heaven including his parents, his granddaughter Madeline, and many dear friends and mentors. He loved to refer to this group as his cloud of witnesses and now he has become one of them.

Ron was born on September 1, 1946 to John and Thelma Rose. He grew up in Richmond, CA and was the oldest of 4 siblings, whom he loved wholeheartedly. His childhood was filled with adventure with friends he maintained his whole life. He attended Abilene Christian University and went on to earn his master's degree in ministry. In August of 1964, he married Lyn Rose, the love of his life.

Ron and Lyn's many adventures included ministry, service, travel, raising two daughters, investing in deep friendships, growing through grief, and embracing abundant joy.

Ron was both a collector of stories and a story-teller. He was full of wisdom, life reflections, and words of encouragement. He was also a collector of friends, which he had in abundance. Coffee shop friends from Black Rifle, cigar shop friends from Taboo, church friends across Texas and California, youth group friends from high school, Purple Foot friends, travel friends, and probably many others that we don't even know about. He had a gift for truly seeing people. In his presence, you felt understood, valued, and accepted for who you are. He considered each friend a treasure and a gift.

Ron had many loves throughout his life. He was on the swim team in high school, worked in radio in college and beyond, loved woodworking, model trains, grilling and cooking. But his ultimate love was the pursuit of God, especially through photography, travel, and writing.

If Ron was traveling anywhere, you'd see a camera around his neck. He loved to capture nature through the lens of a camera, his photos often becoming glimpses of our heavenly creator. His favorite place to photograph (and to encounter the Lord) was Yosemite National Park.

Though his camera lens often portrayed the beauty of nature, his writing captured the beauty of human nature. His gift for truly seeing people meant that his writing revealed unexpected truths thoughtfully crafted into stories that pointed people to God. He wrote about a God who was approachable, who loved his children lavishly, and a God who smiled.

Ron's pursuit of God was rooted in ministry. Among other roles, he served as a youth minister, preacher, and family life minister in churches in California and Texas. His most loved ministry stretched beyond the walls of the church...to his children, his grandchildren, his coffee shop divine appointments, old friends and new, people on the fringe, people who were hurting. Ron loved and listened, collecting stories along the way.

In addition to his well-known Mobile Office, or MO, (most often at Black Rifle Coffee), Ron was a published author. His books include Diary of God, Loving Her, Dad's Diary, 7 Things Kids Never Forget, and Common Sense Discipline.

When he wasn't inspiring others through his writing, Ron could be found traveling the world with his beloved wife, Lyn; cooking up pancakes and bacon, especially for his grandkids; or enjoying cigars and philosophizing with friends at Taboo. Ron loved classic cars, fast cars, model trains, a good steak, Star Wars movies, Calvin and Hobbs comics, his recliner, and kitchen table conversations.

Ron was a mentor to many and an encourager to all. He had a way with words that will continue to point others to the Lord long after his death. His greatest desire was to live his life in a way that would make God smile. Mission accomplished, Ron Rose. God is smiling today as he welcomes you home.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held at The Hills Church in North Richland Hills on November 7th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Taste Project https://www.tasteproject.org/donate/ or Made in the Streets https://gift.idonate.com/mits/madeinthestreetsdonation in Ron's honor.