Ronald Milam McDonnel

Ronald Milam McDonnel, age 76, went home to be with the Lord on December 20, 2020. He was born in Minden, LA to Jesse Milam and Geneva McDonnel. He married his childhood sweetheart Mary Jo in 1964. Ron and Mary Jo were blessed with three children, John Mark, Julie, and Rachel. After Mary Jo’s death in 1991, Ron married Margaret who had two grown children, Kielly and Mariah.

Graduating from the University of Houston in 1968 with a degree in Business Computer Science, Ron worked for Allstate as a systems engineer until being called as the pastor of Katy Bible Church in 1976. 

He loved God’s Word and loved to teach it, evident in the 36 years he pastored Katy Bible Church and in his weekly radio broadcast at KHCB for over 40 years. Ron often related that his dad told him “Son, Christians read the Bible,” so when Ron trusted Christ at the age of 8, he read the Bible all the way through, a practice that continued his entire life. His knowing God so personally came through his spending so much time in his Word. Ron’s life phrase was “Trust Him. You can trust Him.” 

His pastor’s heart meant that he counseled countless families over the years, a testimony to how seriously he took Biblical counseling. Ron’s heart for missions was deep and personal and was a huge influence in his children serving in foreign missions themselves. Ron had a heart for the suffering and was a steady, personal presence when dear ones were in the hospital, praying with them in difficult times. Ron wasn’t afraid to love deeply. He and Margaret brought so many into their home over the years, whether for a short-term stay or longer-term, pouring into the life of someone who just needed it.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo, his parents Jesse Milam and Geneva McDonnel, and his grandson Benjamin McDonnel. 

Ron is survived by his wife Margaret, son John Mark (Donna)of Kiev, Ukraine, daughter Julie (Karl) of Serbia, daughter Rachel (Joel)of South Africa, son Kielly (Kimberly)Houston, daughter Mariah (Scot)Kentucky, 23 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, sister Judy Atkins, sister-in-law Virginia (Don), sister-in-law Kris (Chuck), and lots of nieces and nephews. There are many others who should be included here, as he and Margaret have cared for numerous dear ones as their own.