Ron Julian

May 28th, 1953 – January 25th, 2021

Ron Julian, student and teacher of the Bible and beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, passed from this life on January 25th, 2021. He is, and will be, deeply missed.

Born to Leonard and Raylyn Julian in 1953, Ron grew up in the California Bay Area. In 1971 at age eighteen, to many people’s surprise (including his own), Ron became a Christian. He met his wife Robby a month later. He told the story of his conversion many times throughout his body of work. We encourage you to find it in his own words if you are interested.

This event set him on the path he faithfully followed for the rest of his life: using his skill as a reader and exegete to help others understand the Bible. He hoped that they, too, would turn to their Creator and take hold of the only prize worth having: the salvation available to them in Christ.

In 1981, Ron and Robby (whom he married in 1978) moved to Eugene, Oregon. Here, they dedicated their lives to serving the community of people that gathered around McKenzie Study Center and eventually Reformation Fellowship and Gutenberg College.

Alongside his vocation as a teacher, Ron had a wide range of interests. He was a connoisseur of film, music, and literature, and he enjoyed dabbling in computer programming (he made McKenzie Study Center’s first website) and audio/visual technology.

Though Ron was quick to point out his imperfections, he was one of the most loving, humble, and faithful people we have known. Because he understood the tension between being a sinner and desiring righteousness (which he articulated, among other places, in his book Righteous Sinners), he was gentle with those who struggled with their faith.

Ron is survived by Robby, his sister, Annette, and his children, Brian and Erin, along with five grandsons. (Brian and wife Melanie have two sons, Owen and Lucas; Erin and husband Gil have three sons, Wendell, Linford, and Ewan.)

We are holding an in-person memorial service for Ron on August 7th, and you can find the details here. Alongside this memorial, this website created by his children can be a place to remember him together. Please feel free to share thoughts or memories on the tributes page, and to browse photos of and teaching from Ron.

A note from Robby:

If it would be meaningful to you to contribute something in Ron’s memory, please consider donating to Gutenberg College. Ron gave so many years to McKenzie Study Center and then Gutenberg College because he thought it work well worth doing. Teaching and sharing the hope of the gospel were central to his life. You can use this link to donate in memory of Ron.