How much do you remember of late gospel legend, Ron Kenoly, who died at 81? Here are 13 key things we know

American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter, renowned for being a worship leader whose ministry shaped generations across the globe, Ron Kenoly has died aged 81. In the update, Miranda paid a heartfelt tribute to the Gospel legend, who was the pioneer of modern praise music, writing. “For over 20 years, I had the honor of walking alongside him in ministry around the world, not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness,” Miranda wrote.

He said Kenoly was never an artiste, nor an entertainer but was a worship leader who took all the time necessary to explain what that truly meant. Miranda said a worship leader’s calling was not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship in the presence of a King, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. “Today we grieve deeply but not without hope.

The worship he lived is now the worship he beholds,” the statement added. Notably, Kenoly’s cause of death has not been revealed yet. Early Life: Born on December 6, 1944, Kenoly was born in Coffeyville, Kansas in Southeast Kansas and grew up there.

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Family: Kenoly met and married his first wife Tavita while he was in the Air Force and had three sons during their 42-year marriage namely Samuel, Ronald, and Tony. His cousin is actor Don Cheadle. Kenoly and Diana, a United Nations Ambassador, married on November 24, 2014.

Edutcation: After graduating from high school in Coffeyville, Kenoly moved to Hollywood, Los Angeles. Public Service: He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1968.

During his Air Force career, Kenoly was a member of the Mellow Fellows, a top 40 cover band which toured military bases. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Los Angeles to continue his music career and sang demos of Jimmy Webb songs including “Up, Up and Away,” for the Audio Arts label. During his career, Ron was nominated for nine GMA Dove Awards and won Praise & Worship Album of the Year for Welcome Home in 1997.

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