1428 Shields Avenue, Cedar Hill, Texas 75104, United States
Ron Lancaster (11/18/1950 - 1/11/2024)
Celebrating the Life (both mortal & eternal) of RONALD LANCASTER
Ron (as most folks knew him) was born in Corpus Christi, TX, to Clyde and Helen [Lankford] Lancaster on 11/18/1950. He treasured his memories of growing up there on the south Texas coast. In 1969, Ron graduated from Carroll High school, and in 1973 from the University of Corpus Christi with an MBA, then married Donna [Dugan] in May of ‘73. The following year he went to work as a claims rep with Social Security, eventually moving up to a position as a labor relations officer. In 1997 he changed agencies and went to work for the EPA in the same capacity until his retirement at the end of 2005..
Ron & Donna’s daughter, Nikki, was born in 1974, and their son, Jeffrey, in 1976. In 1981 the family moved to Duncanville so that Jeffrey could get medical treatment at Scottish Rite Hospital. Soon thereafter, he joined First Baptist Church of Duncanville, TX. Following a divorce in 1989, Ron met the love of his life, Doris [Beachy], and they were married in April of 1990.
From 1989-1992, Ron served as Director of Concessions and then as President of the Duncanville Band Boosters. In April of 2000, Ron was ordained as a deacon of the church, and served in that role for the remainder of his life. He also served several years as a Sunday School Class leader, sang in choir, helped with the introduction of visual worship aids, and led children’s Worship KidStyle for 13 years. He loved his Lord and his church family, serving both with great joy and exuberance!
Ron was a loving husband, father and brother who loved fishing, gardening, yard work, computers (especially when helping others), card & domino games, band & band boosters, boating, cruising, mission trips to Rio Bravo, Mexico, and above all worshiping Jesus with his whole heart.
Several physical issues arose during the past 15 years (lymphoma in 2008; shoulder replacement in 2016, arterial blockage in 2018, knee replacements, A-Fib diagnosed in 2021, and three bad falls with TBIs later that year), yet he remained grateful to the Lord for healing and treatments that kept bringing him back to “normal”. After this past Christmas, he suffered what we later learned was a heart attack caused by blocked arteries, which then required triple bypass surgery on January 8th. The surgeon was pleased with how the surgery went, and with his recovery, but early in the morning on January 11th, Jesus called him home to Glory! From the time he arrived in the ER right up to the day of his surgery, Ron did not waste a single opportunity to share about his relationship with Jesus and invite others to pursue that for themselves.
Ron is survived by his wife, Doris Lancaster, and his ex-wife, Donna Lancaster, daughter Nikki & husband John Gerhart, son Jeffrey Lancaster, his sister Jan & husband Gene Simmons of Huntsville, TX, favorite granddaughter, Megan Gerhart and favorite grandson, Josh Gerhart, along with many extended family and a myriad of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother and sister-in-law, Denis & Ollie Lancaster.
Ron’s life verses were Phillipians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
The family requests than any donations made in lieu of flowers be sent to: Duncanville’s First Baptist Church [DFBC], Ready for More Initiative, 323 W Wheatland Rd, Duncanville, TX 75116.