JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY:
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROYCE BARON
Royce William Baron
Born into life: September 12, 1935
Passed into eternal life: October 28, 2022
Royce William Baron, 87, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2022, in Houston, Texas. He closed his eyes looking at his beautiful wife of 58 years, and opened them beholding the beauty of his Savior!
Royce was born on September 12, 1935, in the little prairie town of Fenwood, Saskatchewan, Canada. His dad, William Baron, Jr., learned blacksmithing from his father and owned the local Red & White grocery store. He was a lifelong member of The Gideons and was passionate about God’s Word. His mom, Bertha (Dohms) Baron, was an amazing gardener, cook and seamstress. Although she had very little education, she was a lifelong learner with a deep love for God and a commitment to prayer. Royce’s godly heritage and the outworking of his story are evidence that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” (James 5:16)
By the time Royce was born, William and Bertha already had one daughter, Dorothy. Royce greatly respected and admired his older sister his whole life. Eight more children followed: Mervin, Gerald, Lorne, Clifton, Marilyn, Garth, Dwight, and Joylyn. There were enough boys to have their own hockey team, so hockey sticks and hand-knitted toques were the standard gifts every Christmas Eve. They attended a one-room schoolhouse in Fenwood and walked across the street every Sunday to Fenwood Baptist Church. It was there that Royce trusted in Christ as his personal Savior around the age of eight, after a terrible thunderstorm caused him to hide under his bed and contemplate eternity.
By the time college came around, his parents asked one thing of all their children, “Spend a year at Briercrest Bible Institute; then you can study whatever you want.” Around 1955, Royce began what he thought would be one year of Bible training, but during that year, he sensed the Lord calling him to serve full-time as a missionary, so he went on to get his diploma from Briercrest. From there, he returned home and was mentored by Pastor Jake Neudorf, with whom he helped start Melville Baptist Church while he worked as a trucker with his uncles. He loved trucking! And learning to drive for long stretches would eventually serve him well for his next assignment in life!
Because he had seen missionary slides of a hot and dusty area of Mexico, he bargained with the Lord, “I’ll serve you as a missionary, but send me somewhere cold like Alaska, not somewhere hot like Mexico!” [Note: He eventually did get to go to Alaska on his 50th wedding anniversary cruise!] But the Lord persisted, and in 1963, Royce attended candidate school at Gospel Missionary Union (GMU, now Avant Ministries) in Smithville, Missouri, to serve in Mexico.
While Royce returned to Canada to raise his missionary support, God brought Sue Risley, a beautiful and musical young woman with a heart for Latin America, to the next summer’s candidate school. Sue was asked to stay on to work in the office for a year, during which time she kept hearing about this wonderful young man, Royce Baron. Her admiration grew when she sneaked into the mission files at night and read his glowing character references! She began to pray for him and then sent him a postcard offering to set up a fundraising meeting at her brother-in-law’s church in Conrad, Montana. Royce later said, “When I got that postcard, I thought, ‘I’m going to marry that girl!’”
Things proceeded quickly. They met at GMU in December 1963, got engaged in January 1964, and married in Conrad, Montana, on June 16, 1964. He took Sue back to Canada for their honeymoon in Banff National Park and to meet the extended Baron clan. Then, in the heat of August, they moved to Edinburg, Texas, to study Spanish at Rio Grande Bible Institute.
On June 20, 1965, their first daughter Michele Ruth was born. That same year, they began their ministry with Gospel Missionary Union (GMU) in Del Rio, Texas, where they helped plant churches on both sides of the border.
In 1966, Sue miscarried twin girls, Faith Renee and Hope Annette, who probably went running down streets of gold to meet their daddy for the first time when he recently arrived in Heaven!
By October 20, 1967, the family of three had moved to Allende, Coahuila, Mexico, where Rebecca Sue was born. They felt called to Mexico because they had heard that there were many religious people but few who had ever studied the Bible. They served in dusty little towns along the border, including Allende, Los Álamos, and El Remolino. Royce loved to tell stories of those early days of ministry, stories about traveling down bumpy roads and crossing flooded creeks to have church services in little villages with no electricity by the light of kerosene lamps. Of close encounters with rattlesnakes. He talked of goat-herders, bar owners, women and children that placed their faith in Jesus. Dad would preach and mom would play her accordion as they sang together. Following Jesus’ command, they made many disciples and baptized many new believers in the rivers of northern Mexico.
For two years, they lived in El Paso, Texas, where Lynette Marie was born on September 21, 1970. While there, Royce worked toward his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Texas at El Paso.
When they heard of a need in Puebla, Mexico, they moved again. From 1971 to 1974, Royce and Sue served as teachers and dorm parents at Puebla Bible Seminary and started a church in Manantiales/Momoxpan. They discipled many men and women who went on to have fruitful ministries throughout Mexico, including Alfredo Villeda (the drunken carpenter who trusted in Christ), David Pat (the Mayan Indian who became a pastor), Noé and Lolis Quiroz (the restaurant owners who opened their home for a church plant), and Chole (an evangelist with a hunched back from childhood polio).
Nathan Royce came as a surprise at 1:00 a.m. on January 1, 1974, during an overnight visit to Mexico City. And he has continued to surprise us with his antics and sense of humor ever since! Dad was always really proud of his boy that the Lord finally gave him!
From the summer of 1974 to 1981, Royce and Sue lived in Mexico City, where they worked with fellow missionaries, George and Mary Ruth Hastie, to establish Iglesia Bíblica El Faro (Lighthouse Bible Church) in a northern suburb of the city. Royce not only helped build the body of believers but also physically helped build the church building. So many lives were touched by the Gospel as a result of their ministry! Dad loved teaching the Bible to people like Ramón Martínez (the mariachi who trusted in Christ), Doña Petra (the prostitute who began selling cloth door-to-door because she could no longer sell her body once she was saved), Efrén Guzmán (the professional guitarist whose whole musical family was eventually saved), and Memo and Delia Salazar (the prominent engineer and member of the presidential cabinet who after years of Friday night Bible studies finally testified: “I am no longer an atheist. I have believed in Jesus. I am a brother in Christ like Royce.”)
Throughout all these years of ministry, the Baron family would travel every six months in their Ford van from Mexico City to the U.S. and Canada to renew their Mexican visas and visit supporting churches. (Those years of trucking were put to good use!) The family would sing wearing matching outfits, with mom playing the accordion. Their playlist included songs like “The Lighthouse,” “We’re Part of the Family,” and “I’m Something Special.” Dad would preach with creative object lessons, challenging churches to witness to their neighbors and get involved in missions.
In 1981, the Lord led them to a new season of ministry at Markoma Bible Academy in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Their message to their kids was clear, “You are our most important ministry. We won’t send you to a Christian school, we’ll go with you so you can get a Christian education.” Royce taught math and Bible and cheered on the Markoma Eagles soccer teams.
The Lord led them to participate in various ministries for the next few years.
1985-1991: Mexico City – Continued ministry at Lighthouse Bible Church
1991-1993: Back to Markoma Bible Academy during Nathan’s high school years 1994-1996: San Carlos and Guaymas, Sonora – Training leaders and evangelism in fishing villages
1996-2008: Mexico City – Started Iglesia Bíblica Cristo Vive (Christ Lives Bible Church) with Moisés and Carolyn Ruiz
In 2008, they retired and moved to Katy, Texas, to be close to family. But God still had work for them to do. They served at Iglesia Bíblica La Luz, then in 2016 moved to Redeemer Community Church en español to serve alongside Antonio and Becky.
Royce’s favorite hymn was “Jesus Led Me All the Way,” and it is a true reflection of how Royce led his life. The Lord led him through many winding paths until he reached Heaven’s door.
Jesus Led Me All the Way
Some day life’s journey will be o’er
And I shall reach that distant shore
I’ll sing while entering heaven’s door
“Jesus led me all the way”
Chorus: Jesus led me all the way
Led me step by step each day
I will tell the saints and angels
As I lay my burdens down
“Jesus led me all the way”
If God should let me there review
The winding paths of earth I knew
It would be proven clear and true
“Jesus led me all the way”
In March 2022, Royce’s health and mental acuity began to decline, but he never lost his love for the Lord! He still remembered all his family members and never forgot how to pray beautifully or clearly present the Gospel. Even on days when his mind regressed to his childhood in Canada or when he would say crazy things, he would clearly tell anyone that entered his room, “You need to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins!”
What a way to go! Up until his last day of life on this earth, he still remembered and treasured his family, still expressed his love for and trust in God, and continued to share the Good News with others.
Though he had always hoped to be called home in the Rapture, on October 28, 2022, at 5:45 a.m., God brought Royce home to Heaven, where we are certain he heard the words of His Lord and Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:23)
We know where our husband/dad/grandfather is spending eternity. What about you? Have you believed that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again? Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
*****
Royce is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sue (Risley) Baron; his daughters, Michele Alfaro (Gabriel); Becky Munoz (Antonio), and Lynette Beard (Shawn); his son, Nathan Baron (Leslee); grandchildren, Andrew, Kevin & Alyssa Alfaro; Jessica & Susie Munoz; Jordan & Jenna Beard; and Matthew, Lindsey & Josiah Baron; 5 brothers, Mervin, Lorne, Clifton, Garth, and Dwight; and his sister, Joylyn.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Gerald; two sisters, Marilyn and Dorothy; two daughters, Faith Renee and Hope Annette; and his parents.
*****
Services will be held at:
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
Visitation #1: Friday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Visitation #2: Saturday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.
Funeral: Saturday, November 12, 11:00 a.m.
Interment: Saturday, November 12, 2:00 p.m.
A Garden of God (Carmen Nelson Bostick Historic Cemetery)
12317 Holderrieth Rd.
Tomball, TX 77375
Funeral services provided by: Beresford Funeral Home
*****
FLOWERS may be sent by November 11 to:
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, it would honor our dad’s life and legacy if you would make a donation to Rio Grande Bible Institute to help Hispanic students preparing for ministry.
Check: Rio Grande Bible Institute
4300 S. US HWY 281
Edinburg, TX 78539-9650
Memo: In memory of Royce Baron
Online: www.riogrande.edu/donate
Fund: Projects
Sub-fund: Student Aid Fund
Services
Visitation One
Fri. Nov. 11, 2022
7:00 pm
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd
Katy , TX 77494.
Visitation Two
Sat. Nov. 12, 2022
10:30 am
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd
Katy , TX 77494.
Funeral Service
Sat. Nov. 12, 2022
11:00 am
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd
Katy , TX 77494.
Interment
Sat. Nov. 12, 2022
2:00 pm
Carmen Nelson Bostick Historic Cemetery
12317 Holderrieth Rd
Tomball , TX 77375.
Redeemer Community Church
Katy , TX 77494.
Redeemer Community Church
Katy , TX 77494.
Funeral Service
Sat. Nov. 12, 2022
11:00 am
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd
Katy , TX 77494.
Interment
Sat. Nov. 12, 2022
2:00 pm
Carmen Nelson Bostick Historic Cemetery
12317 Holderrieth Rd
Tomball , TX 77375.
Redeemer Community Church
Katy , TX 77494.
Carmen Nelson Bostick Historic Cemetery
Tomball , TX 77375.
Tomball , TX 77375.
JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY:
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROYCE BARON
Royce William Baron
Born into life: September 12, 1935
Passed into eternal life: October 28, 2022
Royce William Baron, 87, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2022, in Houston, Texas. He closed his eyes looking at his beautiful wife of 58 years, and opened them beholding the beauty of his Savior!
Royce was born on September 12, 1935, in the little prairie town of Fenwood, Saskatchewan, Canada. His dad, William Baron, Jr., learned blacksmithing from his father and owned the local Red & White grocery store. He was a lifelong member of The Gideons and was passionate about God’s Word. His mom, Bertha (Dohms) Baron, was an amazing gardener, cook and seamstress. Although she had very little education, she was a lifelong learner with a deep love for God and a commitment to prayer. Royce’s godly heritage and the outworking of his story are evidence that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” (James 5:16)
By the time Royce was born, William and Bertha already had one daughter, Dorothy. Royce greatly respected and admired his older sister his whole life. Eight more children followed: Mervin, Gerald, Lorne, Clifton, Marilyn, Garth, Dwight, and Joylyn. There were enough boys to have their own hockey team, so hockey sticks and hand-knitted toques were the standard gifts every Christmas Eve. They attended a one-room schoolhouse in Fenwood and walked across the street every Sunday to Fenwood Baptist Church. It was there that Royce trusted in Christ as his personal Savior around the age of eight, after a terrible thunderstorm caused him to hide under his bed and contemplate eternity.
By the time college came around, his parents asked one thing of all their children, “Spend a year at Briercrest Bible Institute; then you can study whatever you want.” Around 1955, Royce began what he thought would be one year of Bible training, but during that year, he sensed the Lord calling him to serve full-time as a missionary, so he went on to get his diploma from Briercrest. From there, he returned home and was mentored by Pastor Jake Neudorf, with whom he helped start Melville Baptist Church while he worked as a trucker with his uncles. He loved trucking! And learning to drive for long stretches would eventually serve him well for his next assignment in life!
Because he had seen missionary slides of a hot and dusty area of Mexico, he bargained with the Lord, “I’ll serve you as a missionary, but send me somewhere cold like Alaska, not somewhere hot like Mexico!” [Note: He eventually did get to go to Alaska on his 50th wedding anniversary cruise!] But the Lord persisted, and in 1963, Royce attended candidate school at Gospel Missionary Union (GMU, now Avant Ministries) in Smithville, Missouri, to serve in Mexico.
While Royce returned to Canada to raise his missionary support, God brought Sue Risley, a beautiful and musical young woman with a heart for Latin America, to the next summer’s candidate school. Sue was asked to stay on to work in the office for a year, during which time she kept hearing about this wonderful young man, Royce Baron. Her admiration grew when she sneaked into the mission files at night and read his glowing character references! She began to pray for him and then sent him a postcard offering to set up a fundraising meeting at her brother-in-law’s church in Conrad, Montana. Royce later said, “When I got that postcard, I thought, ‘I’m going to marry that girl!’”
Things proceeded quickly. They met at GMU in December 1963, got engaged in January 1964, and married in Conrad, Montana, on June 16, 1964. He took Sue back to Canada for their honeymoon in Banff National Park and to meet the extended Baron clan. Then, in the heat of August, they moved to Edinburg, Texas, to study Spanish at Rio Grande Bible Institute.
On June 20, 1965, their first daughter Michele Ruth was born. That same year, they began their ministry with Gospel Missionary Union (GMU) in Del Rio, Texas, where they helped plant churches on both sides of the border.
In 1966, Sue miscarried twin girls, Faith Renee and Hope Annette, who probably went running down streets of gold to meet their daddy for the first time when he recently arrived in Heaven!
By October 20, 1967, the family of three had moved to Allende, Coahuila, Mexico, where Rebecca Sue was born. They felt called to Mexico because they had heard that there were many religious people but few who had ever studied the Bible. They served in dusty little towns along the border, including Allende, Los Álamos, and El Remolino. Royce loved to tell stories of those early days of ministry, stories about traveling down bumpy roads and crossing flooded creeks to have church services in little villages with no electricity by the light of kerosene lamps. Of close encounters with rattlesnakes. He talked of goat-herders, bar owners, women and children that placed their faith in Jesus. Dad would preach and mom would play her accordion as they sang together. Following Jesus’ command, they made many disciples and baptized many new believers in the rivers of northern Mexico.
For two years, they lived in El Paso, Texas, where Lynette Marie was born on September 21, 1970. While there, Royce worked toward his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Texas at El Paso.
When they heard of a need in Puebla, Mexico, they moved again. From 1971 to 1974, Royce and Sue served as teachers and dorm parents at Puebla Bible Seminary and started a church in Manantiales/Momoxpan. They discipled many men and women who went on to have fruitful ministries throughout Mexico, including Alfredo Villeda (the drunken carpenter who trusted in Christ), David Pat (the Mayan Indian who became a pastor), Noé and Lolis Quiroz (the restaurant owners who opened their home for a church plant), and Chole (an evangelist with a hunched back from childhood polio).
Nathan Royce came as a surprise at 1:00 a.m. on January 1, 1974, during an overnight visit to Mexico City. And he has continued to surprise us with his antics and sense of humor ever since! Dad was always really proud of his boy that the Lord finally gave him!
From the summer of 1974 to 1981, Royce and Sue lived in Mexico City, where they worked with fellow missionaries, George and Mary Ruth Hastie, to establish Iglesia Bíblica El Faro (Lighthouse Bible Church) in a northern suburb of the city. Royce not only helped build the body of believers but also physically helped build the church building. So many lives were touched by the Gospel as a result of their ministry! Dad loved teaching the Bible to people like Ramón Martínez (the mariachi who trusted in Christ), Doña Petra (the prostitute who began selling cloth door-to-door because she could no longer sell her body once she was saved), Efrén Guzmán (the professional guitarist whose whole musical family was eventually saved), and Memo and Delia Salazar (the prominent engineer and member of the presidential cabinet who after years of Friday night Bible studies finally testified: “I am no longer an atheist. I have believed in Jesus. I am a brother in Christ like Royce.”)
Throughout all these years of ministry, the Baron family would travel every six months in their Ford van from Mexico City to the U.S. and Canada to renew their Mexican visas and visit supporting churches. (Those years of trucking were put to good use!) The family would sing wearing matching outfits, with mom playing the accordion. Their playlist included songs like “The Lighthouse,” “We’re Part of the Family,” and “I’m Something Special.” Dad would preach with creative object lessons, challenging churches to witness to their neighbors and get involved in missions.
In 1981, the Lord led them to a new season of ministry at Markoma Bible Academy in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Their message to their kids was clear, “You are our most important ministry. We won’t send you to a Christian school, we’ll go with you so you can get a Christian education.” Royce taught math and Bible and cheered on the Markoma Eagles soccer teams.
The Lord led them to participate in various ministries for the next few years.
1985-1991: Mexico City – Continued ministry at Lighthouse Bible Church
1991-1993: Back to Markoma Bible Academy during Nathan’s high school years 1994-1996: San Carlos and Guaymas, Sonora – Training leaders and evangelism in fishing villages
1996-2008: Mexico City – Started Iglesia Bíblica Cristo Vive (Christ Lives Bible Church) with Moisés and Carolyn Ruiz
In 2008, they retired and moved to Katy, Texas, to be close to family. But God still had work for them to do. They served at Iglesia Bíblica La Luz, then in 2016 moved to Redeemer Community Church en español to serve alongside Antonio and Becky.
Royce’s favorite hymn was “Jesus Led Me All the Way,” and it is a true reflection of how Royce led his life. The Lord led him through many winding paths until he reached Heaven’s door.
Jesus Led Me All the Way
Some day life’s journey will be o’er
And I shall reach that distant shore
I’ll sing while entering heaven’s door
“Jesus led me all the way”
Chorus: Jesus led me all the way
Led me step by step each day
I will tell the saints and angels
As I lay my burdens down
“Jesus led me all the way”
If God should let me there review
The winding paths of earth I knew
It would be proven clear and true
“Jesus led me all the way”
In March 2022, Royce’s health and mental acuity began to decline, but he never lost his love for the Lord! He still remembered all his family members and never forgot how to pray beautifully or clearly present the Gospel. Even on days when his mind regressed to his childhood in Canada or when he would say crazy things, he would clearly tell anyone that entered his room, “You need to believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins!”
What a way to go! Up until his last day of life on this earth, he still remembered and treasured his family, still expressed his love for and trust in God, and continued to share the Good News with others.
Though he had always hoped to be called home in the Rapture, on October 28, 2022, at 5:45 a.m., God brought Royce home to Heaven, where we are certain he heard the words of His Lord and Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:23)
We know where our husband/dad/grandfather is spending eternity. What about you? Have you believed that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again? Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
*****
Royce is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sue (Risley) Baron; his daughters, Michele Alfaro (Gabriel); Becky Munoz (Antonio), and Lynette Beard (Shawn); his son, Nathan Baron (Leslee); grandchildren, Andrew, Kevin & Alyssa Alfaro; Jessica & Susie Munoz; Jordan & Jenna Beard; and Matthew, Lindsey & Josiah Baron; 5 brothers, Mervin, Lorne, Clifton, Garth, and Dwight; and his sister, Joylyn.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Gerald; two sisters, Marilyn and Dorothy; two daughters, Faith Renee and Hope Annette; and his parents.
*****
Services will be held at:
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
Visitation #1: Friday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Visitation #2: Saturday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.
Funeral: Saturday, November 12, 11:00 a.m.
Interment: Saturday, November 12, 2:00 p.m.
A Garden of God (Carmen Nelson Bostick Historic Cemetery)
12317 Holderrieth Rd.
Tomball, TX 77375
Funeral services provided by: Beresford Funeral Home
*****
FLOWERS may be sent by November 11 to:
Redeemer Community Church
24201 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, it would honor our dad’s life and legacy if you would make a donation to Rio Grande Bible Institute to help Hispanic students preparing for ministry.
Check: Rio Grande Bible Institute
4300 S. US HWY 281
Edinburg, TX 78539-9650
Memo: In memory of Royce Baron
Online: www.riogrande.edu/donate
Fund: Projects
Sub-fund: Student Aid Fund
Rio Grande Bible Institute
4300 S. US HWY 281, Edinburgh, TX 78539-9650.
Website Link
Guest Book