On April 22, 2025, Ronnie Myron Fenton passed from this life to join his beloved wife JoAnna Livingston Fenton in heaven.
Ronnie was born on October 15, 1943, in Scurry County, Texas to stock farmers William Myron Fenton and Maggie Evelyn Blakely Fenton. He had an older sister Brenda Ann and a younger brother John Sherman.
A few years after his birth, Ronnie's father and Gene Thompson opened the first shoe store in Snyder, Texas named Fenton and Thompsons' family Shoes. The business grew and they opened a second shoe store in Brownfield, Texas. After an amicable split, Gene Thompson kept the store in Snyder and Ronnie's father took the store in Brownfield. Soon afterwards his father opened Fenton's Family Shoe Stores in Lamesa, Littlefield, and Lubbock. Along with his mother and siblings, Ronnie worked in the businesses when not involved in school activities.
Although undersized and near sighted, Ronnie had a passion for football. His teammates selected him to be one of the co-captains his senior year. Ronnie kept in touch with his coaches and their families throughout the years. His head coach, Doug Cox, High School Hall of Famer from Ballinger and former head coach at McMurry College had an outstanding Christian staff including Charles Keese, Don Hendley, and Elroy Payne.
Ronnie was salutatorian of the Brownfield High School Class of 1962. He received a B.A. degree from Baylor University in 1966 and his Medical Degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1970. He did his internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, attended the School of Aerospace Medicine, and then was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Texas as one of five Flight Medical Officers. He was the Chief Flight Surgeon during 1972-1973. Following active duty, he completed a radiology residency in 1976 at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Following residency training, Ronnie joined San Angelo Radiologists, PA where he worked for 24 years before retiring in 2000.
Later in 2000, he went to work with Radiology Associates, PA of Little Rock, AR, retiring again in 2007. JoAnna and he needed to return to West Texas to be near their aging fathers. While working in San Angelo for 24 years, he served two one-year terms as President of the Medical Staff at Shannon Medical Center in 1981-82 and 1989-90. He served 1990-92 as Chairman of the Medical Board at Shannon.
In 1985-86 he was instrumental in the idea and planning of a shared mobile MRI unit between Shannon Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. The radiologists at these two facilities reasoned they could quickly offer MRI imaging while both hospitals completed the time consuming and difficult decisions and preparations needed to install permanent MRI systems.
In 1988, he and the late Dr. Samuel Chunn worked with the late Mr. Lester Smith and Mr. Tom Alexander of the Shannon Trustees to create the Regional Cancer Treatment Center, a limited Partnership, to create a state-of-the-art facility for radiotherapy. Ronnie served as Chairman of the Partnership Committee from 1988-1994.
While in Little Rock, the radiology technologists at Saint Vincent's Infirmary voted Ronnie as Radiologist of the Year, the only year the recognition was given. Ronnie was very proud that those working so close to him appreciated JoAnna and him.
Although not an active member of a church at his death, Ronnie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the First Baptist Church in Snyder. He had a strong Christian faith, and he lived by the Golden Rule. He gave scholarship money for many years to Snyder High School graduates in honor of the men and women that served in Company G, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division in WWII. A considerable number of Scurry County citizens served in this unit, and many lost their lives in Italy, France, and Germany. Ronnie's brave uncle Allen Lynn Fenton survived. His uncle, Doyle Blakely, was killed in action at the Battle of Monte Casino.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Maggie Evelyn and William Myron Fenton and his grandparents, William Boyd Fenton, Stella Sanders Fenton, Maudi Blakely, and Sherman Blakely.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, JoAnna Livingston Fenton and her father, Dr. Charles Wesley Livingston, Jr. and his wife, June.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Kay Haymaker Elliott, whom he always loved, respected, and appreciated. He is survived by two sons of that marriage and their families: Boyd Sherman Fenton, M.D., and wife Cyndi, of Lubbock, TX, and their five children Samuel, Ember, Gavin, Garrison, and Savannah, and by grandchildren Anastasia and Sarah. Son Truman Haymaker Fenton, J.D., and wife Michele, of Austin, TX, and their three children Jack, Wyatt, and Eliza.
He is survived by JoAnna's three children that he helped raise and he loved dearly: John Wesley Skelton and wife Renea Beucher Skelton, Ph.D., of Aledo, TX, their children Kelcie, Chloe, and Wesley, and grandchild Orion; Jason Robert Skelton, Ph.D., and wife Randi Leveritt Skelton, N.P., R.N., of San Angelo, and their three children Madeline, Miley, and Shane; and Jo Elle Grace Peterson, M.D., and husband Mathew Peterson, of Edmond, OK, and their two children, Charlie and Maggie.
Ronnie is survived by his older sister Brenda Conaster and her three children: Kim, her children Ryan and Bethany, and one grandchild; Duann and her children Lindsy, Jacob, Nick, and Faith, and grandchildren; and Shawna and her son Daniel, and three grandchildren.
Ronnie is also survived by his younger brother, John Sherman Fenton and his wife Judy, of Fort Worth, TX, John’s daughter Virginia Fenton Clinkinbeard, also of Fort Worth, TX, and her daughters Katlynn, Jesica, and Courtney.
Ronnie is also survived by Deanna Campbell of Georgetown, TX, a longtime friend from Brownfield who became a cherished and faithful companion in his final years.
He was preceded in death by his aunt, Islasu Blakely Minor, of Lubbock, and her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren survive him. Cousins Jerry McDowell, Danny Fenton, Priscilla Avery Martin, Richard Avery, and Margerie Stephens.
At his request, close family will hold a simple graveside service. He will be buried next to his late wife, JoAnna Livingston Fenton, at Arden Cemetery in Irion County. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to Baylor University or to the Dr. Charles W. Livingston scholarship at Angelo State University.
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