Funeral service for Dr. Ronald Claunch will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Mosaic Church in Nacogdoches.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Dr. Ronald Claunch passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in New Braunfels, Texas after a lengthy and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  Ron was devoted to following Jesus, loving Betty (his wife of 52 years), caring for his family, and serving his church.  Born in Haynesville, Louisiana on January 8, 1944, Ron lived in Nacogdoches, Texas for 52 years before moving to New Braunfels in 2023.

As Dr. Claunch, he taught political science at Stephen F. Austin State University his entire career; the last few years as chairman of the Political Science Department.  As Ron, he served Jesus and his church generously.  For decades at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Ron (with Betty) taught a married couples’ Bible study, served as a deacon and elder, volunteered with the Kid’s Club, sang in the choir, and generally made himself available for whatever needed to be done.  Ron went on mission trips to five different continents, including several trips to Brazil with his brother, Mike and sister-in-law Karen.  Betty accompanied him on most of these trips as well.  He was instrumental in initiating and guiding Oak Grove’s later merger with Mosaic.  At Mosaic, Ron continued to serve as an elder.

But it was his devotion to his beloved wife, Betty, that Ron was perhaps best known for.  They met while both were attending Baylor University.  They married on June 10, 1967, in Perryton, Texas, Betty’s hometown.  They moved to Missouri while Ron completed his doctoral studies at the University of Missouri.  While teaching in a temporary capacity at the University of Arkansas, their first daughter, Cathy, was born.  Their second daughter, Christy, was born back in Missouri, three days before the young family moved to Nacogdoches.

Ron and Betty were blessed with seven grandchildren, whom they loved deeply and well.  They were always available to help when needed and to be present at significant and ordinary life events, even if that meant hours of driving.  His grandchildren were a constant source of joy to him and even helped open his mind about the merits of Texas A&M University.

Ron is survived by his two daughters, Cathy Wintill and Christy Gallaher and her husband, Otto; “adopted daughter” Elissa Martin and her husband, David; his brother Jerry Claunch and wife, Sandy; brother Mike Claunch and wife, Karen, grandchildren Rachel Johnson and husband, Cameron, Ethan Wintill and wife, Echo, Jonathan Wintill, Ben Wintill, Mallory Gallaher, Riley Gallaher, and Jacie Gallaher; “adopted grandchildren” Jordan Martin and wife Jaylee, Bethany Martin, Tabor Martin, Josiah Martin, Champ Martin; and many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Ron dearly.  He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Ruth Claunch, and by his beloved, Betty.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Claunch Brazil Missions, a ministry in Brazil that Ron and Betty were a part of with his brother, Mike.  Mike continues his mission trips to Brazil three times a year.  Gifts can be mailed to Highview Baptist Church, 7711 Fegenbush Ln., Louisville, KY, 40228 designated for CLAUNCH BRAZIL MISSIONS.