Dates
Ronald "Ron" Lee Cline loved his Lord and had the ultimate joy of being reunited with Him on May 30, 2026. It is a profound loss for all of us who knew and loved him, but the truest definition of happiness for Ron.
Public viewing will be from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 4, 2026 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, June 5, 2026 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel with Pastor Mack Roller, pastor at Glen Meadows Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Ron was born to Richard "Dick" and Dortha Cline in Midland, TX on November 11, 1965. He was the 7th of what would later become 8 children. Due to Dick's job, the family moved all over the country as Ron grew up, but they often returned to San Anglo, the place Ron always called home.
While in school, Ron participated in numerous activities, including football, science fair, history fair, and choir, but also dabbled in basketball, baseball, and swimming. The Cline family had a long history of participating in, and winning, the Soap Box Derby, but when Ron was finally old enough to participate, he had a "six-inch-summer," making him far too tall to crawl into one of those tiny cars.
While attending Hobbs High School, Ron met New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici and became his page, allowing Ron to spend a great deal of time in Washington, D.C. Ron's interest in law and politics was fueled further as he watched the government in action. He eventually decided he was going to become an attorney, but several notable people in his life, including Ralph Tasker and Sam Champion looked at him and said, "No, you're going to be a teacher, maybe even a principal or superintendent." Ron did not believe a word of it.
After graduating with Honors from Hobbs High School, Ron began classes at Angelo State University. While earning his Bachelor of Business Administration, he continued his practice of participating in numerous groups and organizations, all while working 2-3 jobs at a time to pay tuition. With a BBA in hand, Ron went on to earn a Master of Business Administration at Oklahoma City University and started law school. But something in him changed, and he not only stepped away from law school, he actually began teaching! Just a few years later, Ron earned a Master of Education from Sul Ross State University. It looked like Tasker, Champion, and the others were right.
His career in education began in two places at once. He taught subjects like math and computer applications to students in K-8 at Bishop John Carroll School and Business Administration at Draughon College, both in Oklahoma City, OK. There were a few instances when his K-8 students were the children of his college students.
Over the next 30 years, Ron worked at several schools throughout Texas, including Buena Vista ISD, Ector County ISD, Lexington ISD, Karnes City ISD, San Angelo ISD, Crockett ISD, Pearsall ISD, Paint Rock ISD, and Fort Stockton ISD. During this time, he held many positions, including coach, teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. (Tasker and Champion were right again!)
Ron poured his energy into helping improve the performance and self-confidence of students and teachers alike. Throughout the years, he helped students and districts improve test scores, increase enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and achieve higher graduation rates. Ron believed fostering teamwork and communication were vital to improving both relationships and educational outcomes. His leadership and teamwork lead schools to multiple achievements and awards, and a few for himself as well. To mention only a few:
Ron was named TASSP Region 18 Assistant Principal of the Year at Bowie Junior High School, Ector County ISD.
Karnes City High School was rated as Exemplary and Recognized by TEA; selected as a TBEC Honor Roll School 2 years in a row; was named a Pathfinder school by the Governor's Statewide Initiative Office; and received the National Dispelling the Myth Award from the U.S. Secretary of Education and Education Trust Foundation 2 years in a row while Ron was the High School Principal.
While he was Principal at Lincoln Middle School, the school earned the TEA Gold Performance Award 2 years in a row and Ron was nominated by parents and teachers for the TASSP Region 15 Principal of the Year Award 2 years in a row.
Crockett High School earned a Gold Star while Ron was High School Principal.
Ron served the Principal and Superintendent of Schools (concurrently for a time) at Paint Rock ISD from 2009 - 2021. During his time there, the district achieved 8 TEA Gold Star Awards; the US News and World Report awarded the high school a Bronze Award and named it "one of the best high schools in America" 2 years in a row, and Dave Campbell's Football Digest named Paint Rock High School the 1A School of the Year in 2009. Ron oversaw the construction of a new 8-lane track and complex and restoration of the "Old Gym." Ron was named the ESC Region 15 Superintendent of the Year in 2014-2015.
Again, that is just to name a few, but academically, Ron's greatest achievement was watching as his students graduate high school. He was filled with pride every year seeing his students walk the stage, receive their diplomas, and turn their tassels. His goal was to prepare them for whatever came next in their lives: entering the workforce, putting the certifications they earned in high school to use, community college, university, the armed services. If you were ever one of Ron's students, know that he believed in you and he is proud of every single one of you.
Ron's work with students, teachers, staff, and parents was extremely important to him, but something else topped even that. In 2019, Ron met the love of his life, Meloni, and her son, Oasis.
Ron and Meloni will tell you that when they met for the first time, it was as if they already knew each other, but had just spent years trying to find one another. They will tell you that they are the answer to each other's prayers. They connected immediately and love engulfed them.
Ron was thinking about asking Meloni to marry him, and while fulfilling a long-time dream to visit the Holy Land, Ron said God made it perfectly clear to him that Ron was to propose. Ron decided he would return to Israel with Meloni in a few months and propose in that very spot. The trip kept getting postponed, so he decided to ask her anyway, no matter where they were. Meloni had long known she would say yes, if he ever asked! Ron asked her to become his wife, and she did not hesitate to accept. Ron and Meloni married on June 27, 2021. Ron became husband to the woman he so dearly loved and father to the child of his heart, Oasis.
Ron and Meloni could be seen together holding hands, speaking sweetly to each other, and clearly delighting in each other's presence wherever they went. Attending church services, going to concerts, and attending all of Oasis' various school events, or simply grocery shopping, doing laundry, or watching TV were always special because they were together. Ron and Meloni had found and married their best friend, their other half, the one they truly loved.
Ron was too devastated when he was too ill to attend Oasis' graduation. This was the most important graduation of Ron's life, but he was so proud of Oasis in all things and to "get that boy graduated." Ron and Meloni had pledged themselves to each other entirely. When Ron's health began to decline, they faced it together, to the very end. Ron and Meloni were together when he left her arms and ran into the arms of Jesus. Meloni and Oasis are heartbroken by Ron's absence but rejoice in Ron's presence with his Savior.
Ron's life was touched by so many wonderful people, and we thank all of you for the happiness, the adventures, and the love you all added to his.
Ron is survived by his wife, Meloni of the home; son, Oasis Webb and Katelynn Anderson of Canyon; four siblings, Terry Pfannenstiel and husband Lyle of Udall, Kansas, Mike Cline and wife Cindy of Springfield, Missouri, Ken Cline of Llano, and Dortha "Deede" Cline of San Angelo; and his beloved dog, Kelly.
He is preceded in death by a daughter, Joy: two brothers, Richard "Rick" Cline and Russell Cline; and a sister, Rita Cline.