At the encouragement of some of you, I want to write a few words of
remembrance of Ron. Keep in mind two things as you read: 1st, this is for US
and 2nd, some of what I want to say happened sixty plus years ago. Memory is
what it is!
Somewhere along life’s journey I learned that RELATIONSHIPS are primary.
First, our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior, and God’s only Son.
Second, FAMILY. I personally am blessed with a wonderful family, my
helpmate, a sparkly blue-eyed Texas girl, the light of my life. Third,
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS. Again my life has been blessed beyond what I deserve
as a result of relationships with fellow believers, among whom was Ronald
Richards.
My family moved to Hope during the summer between eighth and ninth grade.
Clyde (Buddy) Arnold was my next-door neighbor. We could lie in our beds and
carry on a conversation. We became friends and remain so today. When
school started, Clyde went out for football and I did not. It was not long before
my inner circle of friends consisted of John Gilbert, Edward Key, and Ronald
Richards. By our senior year, Ronald and I had become best friends. One of
the things that drew us together was the fact that we both liked having money in
our pockets. Both our parents were close with their money so we both worked.
One particular incident you might enjoy: before school or at noon, I can’t
remember, we were both sitting in his mother’s new black Dodge. A fellow
tapped on the window and, as Ronald got out, he sucker punched him in the
face. Ron gave a good account of himself. (I think it was over a girl. Ron was
tall, fair complected and had black wavy hair and a ready smile. The girls liked
him.) Our house was across the street from the school so I took him home and
cleaned him up and we both went back to school. There was some talk of
continuing the altercation and starting out on an even basis. I think that by the
time Mr. Amour got through with them, the fight was gone out of both of them.
One other high school event which endeared Ron’s family to me: Ron’s dad
worked for a clothing company called Shanhouse. Among their products was a
snappy waist-length jacket. I have always been a medium chest but with short
arms. They secured one of these for me that fit.
At graduation he went to Southern State and I went to Baylor.
Ronald and I got reacquainted through our boys. Fifteen or so years ago, Avis
and I came back to Shreveport to serve as pastor/administrator of a 142- unit
retirement complex that belonged to Calvary Baptist Church. During that time
one of Ron’s sons was in medical school at LSUS. Our son was in Frisco near
where Ron and Sandra lived. We began to call each other, e-mail and share
information. We would meet and go out to eat. When we lost our grandson in
March, Ron was right there to share our grief.
As his illness took a firm hold on him, Ron’s Christian faith was demonstrated to
me. He was still not completely decided about going to Little Rock for
treatment. The Dallas doctors, trained in Houston, had done all they knew to
do. These are close to the exact words to me: “I am going to go to Little Rock
and see if they can help, and if not, I will just go to be with Jesus.”
Rest in peace, dear Christian Brother, and God grant that all of us who remain
may draw from your faith in Jesus.
Barky