Ronald "Ron" Lewis Bartlett, age 81, was born on July 27, 1944, and on February 5, 2026, he joyfully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ron proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years during the Vietnam War on the USS Springfield CLG-7 as a radio operator. It was during his time in the Navy that his life was forever changed. While serving, Ron received a letter from a family member that introduced him to Jesus Christ. Through that witness, he came to know the Lord, beginning a lifelong journey of faith, obedience, and service that would define every chapter of his life.

After his military service, he answered God's call and pursued an education at East Texas Baptist College, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Religion and History. Later in life, he earned his Master's degree at New Orleans Baptist theological seminary.

On August 16, 1970, he married the love of his life, Joyce Ann Kinman, at the First Baptist Church in Choudrant, Louisiana. They shared 54 faithful years in ministry and service until her passing on November 1, 2024.

He devoted his life to ministry, serving as a bivocational pastor for numerous small country churches, including Walnut Creek Baptist Church in Diana, Texas; Nesbitt Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas; Grand Bluff Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas; Lindare Baptist Church in Linden, Texas; as well as several church startups in the East Texas and Winnsboro, Louisiana areas. His ministry was marked by dedication and a deep love for people.

In addition to his pastoral work, he was employed at Martin Lake Power Plant, TRW Reda Pump, and East Texas Baptist University.

He loved the Lord deeply and found great joy in studying Scripture. God's Word was his anchor and guide. He never met a stranger and genuinely loved meeting new people. He enjoyed carpentry and was rarely without a project in progress. He also loved traveling and visiting new places—though he was famously known by his family for avoiding asking for directions, often resulting in many good-natured detours and memorable U-turns.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Ann Kinman Bartlett; his parents, Mildred Faye and J.A. Bartlett; his mother-in-law, Mamie Ruth Kinman; his father-in-law, James Merle Kinman; and his sister-in-law, Deanne Bartlett

He is survived by his children: Lila (Tracy) Cooper, Joel (Sissi) Bartlett, and Amy (Richard) Hall; his grandchildren: Joseph Ritter, Caleb Bartlett, Noah Bartlett, Ainsley Bartlett, Homer Mac Bartlett, and Henry "Hank" Bartlett; three step grandchildren: Chloe (Adam) Huneycutt, Jalin and Jaslin Willis; his brothers Jerald Bartlett (Jane) and Denis Bartlett; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Ron's life stands as a testimony to the power of a faithful witness, the truth of God's Word, and a life surrendered to Christ. He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. His family rests in the promise of Scripture:

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m.,Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026, at the funeral home.