Ronald Wallace Churchill, Jr.

Ronald Wallace Churchill, Jr., age 92, died at the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House in Murray, KY on the 26^th of March 2023.

He was born September 13, 1930, in Murray, KY. From one year of age, he lived with his family above the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home at 301 Maple St.; a business established by his grandfather in 1886.

He received his elementary and secondary education in Murray’s public schools, graduating from Murray High School in 1948. He attended Murray State University and the University of Cincinnati, graduating from Murray State University in 1953 with a B.S. in Physics and Math.  Following graduation, he served two years of military duty at the Army Chemical Center in Edgewood, MD, where he was involved in testing a variety of chemical munitions there and at Dugway Proving Grounds, UT.  He and Martha Ann Perry were married during this period on December 20, 1953.

Following his military service, Mr. Churchill joined Union Carbide Corporation in May 1955.  His first position was as Development Engineer with the Carbon Products Division in Fostoria, OH.  He later worked on analysis of graphite electrode production data/steel mill operation data, and at retirement was Manager of Specifications for world-wide operations of eight foreign and nine domestic plants.  These assignments moved the family to Lawrenceburg, TN and Parma, OH.

He and Ann returned to Murray upon retirement in 1992, where as a member of First Baptist Church he continued to be involved in church and community activities.  His church activities over the years and locations above included serving in the music programs (including many years as the volunteer music director), Sunday School teacher, deacon, and on various committees.  He also served the Greater Cleveland Baptist Association in various capacities including two years as Moderator.  He served on the Ohio Baptist Convention Executive Board and was Ohio’s representative on the Southern Baptist Convention Brotherhood Commission.  For many years, he served with Baptist Builders and Baptist Disaster Relief organizations in both Ohio and Kentucky and participated in a number of overseas mission projects.

His civic involvements included Murray Civic Music Association Board, National Scout Museum volunteer, Chamber of Commerce volunteer, and Murray Rotary Club; he was President during Rotary International’s centennial year 2004-05.

Besides his parents, Ronald and Rebecca Churchill, Sr., he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ann, and two sisters, Minnie Lee Walker and Martha Imes Farris.

Survivors include son, Ronald III and wife Carol of The Woodlands, TX; daughter, Pam and husband Steve DeVoss of Norman, OK; 4 grandchildren: Stephanie DeVoss of Boone, NC, Emily and husband Aris Stavrianos of Virginia Beach, VA; Kaitlyn Churchill of Alexandria, VA and Kyle Churchill of Houston, TX; and 2 great-grandchildren, Isla and Aidan Stavrianos of Virginia Beach.

A public graveside service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Murray City Cemetery.  Bro. Boyd Smith will officiate, and burial will follow. There will be no public visitation.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Churchill Family Fund for Excellence, Murray State Office of Development, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071.

The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.