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Lydia Anderson
Ron's Child
Ron Anderson
May 15th, 1943 - February 18th, 2026
May 15th, 1943 - February 18th, 2026
“But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Ronald Joe “Ron” Anderson
May 15, 1943 – February 18, 2026
Ronald Joe Anderson, known to most simply as “Ron,” was born on May 15, 1943, in Littlefield, Texas, and passed away on February 18, 2026, in Tempe, Arizona. He leaves behind a family and a faith community who adored him, and countless stories that will be retold for generations with a lot of fondness and laughter.
Ron graduated from Lovington High School in 1961, where he was voted “Class Clown,” a title he carried proudly for the rest of his life. He had a quick wit, impeccable timing, and a gift for making people feel at ease. He earned a degree in History from University of New Mexico, a Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and later a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary. It was a fitting combination for a man who believed deeply in both words and faith. Ron began his career as a journalist with the Atlanta Journal, covering sports and once even interviewing football legend Archie Manning — a story he never minded telling. He was a truth seeker and went on a long journey to find “the Church” that was spoken of in the New Testament. In the mid 1970s the Lord led him to San Diego, CA — originally to connect with a Baptist church leader — but the Lord had other plans! Instead, he sovereignly met some Christians in a hotel restaurant who could answer all of his lingering questions from seminary. That lunch led to his first meeting with the Local Church, where he found what he had been seeking all along and was finally “home.” Even though he never pastored a church, he had the honor of marrying numerous couples and devotedly served the church.
Ron was also, quite famously, his own GPS. Long before smartphones, he could navigate highways and back roads with uncanny confidence. Spontaneous road trips were one of his great joys — hopping in the car with little more than a destination in mind and a full tank of gas.
He was a proud father and grandfather. Ron’s sons, Cory and Chris, were born during his first marriage to Avis. Years later, he met Kathy in San Diego — a meeting that began a partnership and marriage that would span 41 years. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and resilience.
He often said the Lord had promised him four boys but he received a bonus: a daughter. Ron was deeply proud of his five children Cory, Chris, Joseph, Lydia, and Ben. He expressed his love best in tangible and practical ways: through generosity, gifts, and stepping in when it mattered most. He welcomed Stephen, Danielle, and Joanne into the family with warmth and humor. He is also survived by his younger sister, Markay (who he always made a point to call if Texas beat OU in the Red River Rivalry) and his nephews, David and Bryan. His grandchildren Bryce and Landry, and grandfurchildren, Gertie and Roux, also held a special place in his heart.
He loved history, documentaries, underdog sports movie, ice cold Dr. Pepper, and a Payday candy bar. But most of all, he loved the Lord and his family.
Ron’s life was marked by laughter, faith, and connection. While his absence leaves an ache that words cannot fill, his faith, humor and loving kindness will echo in the lives of those who knew him.
The family welcomes handwritten notes and shared memories at 1625 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282. Every story told is another reminder of a life well lived.
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Tributes
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Tina Engel
February 20, 2026 "Our focus in the church life shouldn’t be merely outward service but ministering life by caring for others." — Witness Lee This word truly reflects our dear brother Ron. Ron and Kathy came to Tempe from San Diego in the early 1980s, during the early days of the church life here. I was a young college student at ASU at that time. Through the years, Ron bore a clear vision of the Lord’s move and faithfully labored to shepherd and care for others, especially the young people. I had the privilege of serving alongside him for over four decades. His living was a testimony of imparting life, not merely outward service. We were gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)6 Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Much grace to the family and friends. In Christ, Tina Engel
Caleb Fan
Dear brother Ron had a strong spirit, and in the prayer meetings he consistently exercised his spirit in prayer. His prayers strengthened and uplifted the gatherings, helping the prayers of the saints reach the throne of God. We will dearly miss his portion.
Sean and Siang
Dear Anderson family, We were saddened to hear of Brother’s Ron passing. Siang and I are so grateful to God for the blessing of knowing him. As we reflect, we realize how much of our faith is rooted in his guidance as he made the Bible practical and understandable to us. We will always cherish the memory of him marrying us 24 years ago. “For though you have ten thousand guides in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” - 1 Corinthians 4:15 Your labor of love helped us draw closer to the Lord. Thank you for being the vessel that brought us to church life and faith. In Christ’s love, Sean and Siang
Chris Anderson
It’s so great to hear all the nice things and unique memories people are sharing about my Dad. I don’t think he would have wanted folks to feel sad at his passing, but grateful for the good times we had with him. Pops was a true renaissance man: A great writer, almost-pro baseball player, a seminary graduate, real-estate agent, stock market trader, history buff, and even a tax preparer…the list goes on! I’ll remember him as a man of understanding and humility who led by example more than words. We had many fun memories growing up - too many to recount here: Memories of going on vacations to the woods, going to the arcade, seeing baseball games, putting pennies on the train track - but mostly just sitting and talking while playing a back-of-the-napkin game at Denny’s. Dad understood how to make the every day moments fun and make you feel like you had something special in common. He had a way of instilling confidence in you without using many words - just his simple belief in you and expectation that you would do well was very influential. He would always be genuinely interested in the things I had to say and share, even when it wasn’t very bright. I don’t think I ever realized how much this helped me learn to value my own voice and think for myself. He also had an infectious laugh, and loved to point things out that were silly or interesting. If he were here right now, he would probably go around the room pointing out to everyone that he died on Ash Wednesday, haha. I’m grateful to God to have had a dad whose faith was central to his life. He gave me the best piece of advice I ever received when I was only in the 3rd grade: His exact words were “son, obey your conscience”. At the time I was too young to comprehend the profound impact that would have on so many situations in my life - in some ways it’s the only thing I ever needed to know. Possibly the thing I’ll remember him for most, though, was his incredible resilience in life. He was the ultimate come-back king, having suffered many big challenges and setbacks - more so than many people - yet had the ultimate victory in all of them. He suffered through failures in personal relationships, only to turn it into a 40+ year marriage. He suffered through financial losses and major theft, only to turn it into an inheritance for his children. He suffered estrangement with his kids at times, but was restored in each case. And he suffered the sudden loss of both a brother and a son - yet at no time did he allow this devastation to quench the light of Christ in his heart. My dad knew that death is not something to fear when you have that true light. I think my brother Cory summed up his legacy nicely when he said dad “did not judge, compare, or complain”. He taught us these things purely by example, and we are reaping the rewards of that example every day in ways we often take for granted. I wish I could have been closer to my dad, but I felt like I “got” him and he got me. Thank you Dad, for being a good and honorable man. I look forward to seeing you again.
Sean Kerr
I was lucky enough to have Ron as a part of my early life. His son Cory and I have been best friends from the age of 5, so I spent a lot of time in the Anderson household. Ron and his family welcomed me with open arms. Early in my life Ron taught Cory and I lots of great life lessons, including what it means to work hard to earn money. He would give us jobs in our younger years that would be the baseline of my work ethic today. Although Ron was not technically my father, I affectionately called him "Pops" to the end based on my brotherhood and our mutual love of the Dallas Cowboys (I will miss our chats about the 'Boys). You will be missed Pops!
Bill Lewallen
I first met Ron in 1977 at a Bible study on the campus of San Diego State University. As I recall, he was the only one there who was not an SDSU student. Although I had already been saved, I was still very young and in the early stages of my Christian walk. From the beginning, I was deeply drawn to Ron’s sharing from the Word of God. He was warm and personable, and through his speaking I sensed that these were serious believers who genuinely loved the Lord. Their love for the Lord and their consecration stirred in me a desire for that same kind of Christian life. From that time on, Ron faithfully shepherded me, especially as I began attending the weekly campus meetings. A few months later, when I became engaged to my wife, Diana, his care expanded to include both of us. He shepherded us as a young couple learning to grow together in the church life. In January 1980, Ron officiated our wedding, and he continued to guide and support us through the early years of our marriage. Ron was a real estate broker, and when I chose the same profession, he once reminded me—half in jest but fully in faith—that one day the Lord would return to “foreclose” on the whole earth. I have never forgotten that word. I will always be grateful to the Lord for Brother Ron’s cherishing care and faithful shepherding, especially during those formative early years of our church life.
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