Yesterday, I learned of the death of my old friend, Ron Wright.

We go back a long time and have had numerous interactions under often quite different circumstances. I first recall meeting Ron when I was a miscreant youth and belonged to a Christian youth group called Covenanters. There was an occasion when an event was held at another, nearby Covenantor group, where Ron, who was a few years older than me, was an assistant leader.

Over the years our paths often crossed. I recall two occasions when we shared a cabin at the Castlerigg Camp in the Lake District just before my going to university. We often bumped into each other at Christian home groups and on the train to London when I was at university and when we often had interesting conversations. I moved away from Southend for a number of years and returned in the mid 1980’s. During those early years, when I was looking for a church to join, I decided on Ferndale Baptist Church. Ron was leading a lively and successful young people’s work, many of which were unchurched, at the church, and that is where I cast my lot for a period, swayed by the thought I could help out in that work, which I did. One of my jobs was driving one of Ron’s famous minibuses.

What was to become clear in the years that followed was Ron didn’t do things by half measures and had a number of mini busses to transport the young people here and there and whenever there was need. He had the strength of character to look after and earn the respect, trust and affection of what sometimes seemed to be an unruly rabble. I have many memories of being involved in all sorts of activities that also involved Ron, including those led by him: camps, house parties, outings, hikes and sailing trips. In the years that followed there were all sorts of me and Ron meeting ups. On one occasion, at St. Luke’s church, Terry Waite came to speak. We three had a lovely conversation. Ron told Terry that his book was one he was going through when he taught at the local YMCA school.

I later left Ferndale, partly because I was not settled at the church and partly because of Ron, with whom I had a dispute. Interestingly, I know of two ministers Ron fell out with. While he was not a control freak, he was controlling despite his charismatic charm and easy going nature. He was different from most other people I come across, for he was an enthusiast and a visionary with an unyielding can-do attitude and such that others often could not keep up with him. This is not the place to bring up the past but, as much as I loved the chap, he had his faults, like us all. I am pleased that with any rift it was made up and healed. Ron was a kind and generous man who loved God, was faithful and not someone to hold onto grudges.

Sometime after leaving Ferndale and now back at Coleman Street Chapel, I got to meet up with Ron and we did things together. I can’t remember the first time after leaving Ferndale but we were to meet several times after and if it wasn’t some activity in which he had a common interest, it was on a walk followed by breakfast some place. One of our common interests was helping the homeless. I recall, along with Ron, driving one homeless man to the West Country to start a new life (although he later returned and Ron being the person he was continued to help him). His entrepreneurial activities included buying properties. He owned a number and let them out.

Ron was one of those rare breeds; he was a social landlord! Some of his tenants were on the fringes of society and weren’t able to pay the going rate. Making money was never his goal; helping others was. He had fingers in all sorts of pies and often these aligned with my own community activist interests. This included being the chair of Southend YMCA, chair of the Board of Governors of Hamstel School, being involved with India Link Ministries (a missionary support group), advising and supporting the Brethren in Christ (a Zimbabwean church network) and various youth involvements. And these are just the ones I happen to know about!

I recall Ron taking my family and some friends in his mini-bus up to our Norfolk holiday destination, and then bring us back. It was not too much trouble and such was his thoughtfulness. More recently, I was presented with another dilemma – I needed to dispose of many of my books. While reluctant to do so, my one condition was they went to a good home and so can be read. Once again, the ever enterprising Ron stepped in and undertook to do this. Our last meeting was at an event involving a mutual missionary friend and the work he was involved with. In our short exchange, we agreed to meet up over breakfast – something, alas, that did not happen.

Ron was married to Marion for many years. Marion died a few years back. They had no children of their own, although they did foster and care for children, and adults come to that. I am not aware of any surviving relatives on Ron’s side of the family (although there are some on Marion’s side). There will be a number who knew and were guided by Ron, especially when they were children, who would have looked up to him as a spiritual father and a much valued help and mentor in dealing with their life challenges.  

Ron kept going to the very end. Two days before he died, he spoke at a friend’s funeral. The day before, he was down to speak to children as a school, but had to call off as he was not feeling well. I suspect he was not reckoning on dying so suddenly. No doubt he had many plans, including for a forthcoming eightieth birthday bash. Ron was old school and did what he did because it needed doing and he loved God. He was a one of a kind, who not only saw what needed doing but went on to do it, often creatively.

If there was anyone who could look upon a half empty glass of water and see it as half full, Ron was your man. He will be much missed by many besides myself. I am sure many will be able to recount fond memories and qualities of Ron. For me, at the top, it was Ron the winsome encourager! In the end, the Lord, who knows what He is doing, saw fit to call His servant, my dear friend, home.