Obituary of Ronald E. McEntire

Ronald E. McEntire, 73, of Jamestown, passed away quietly Monday evening, July 3, 2023 at the Star Hospice House in Lakewood, NY with his children by his side. He was born July 7, 1949, in Meadville, PA, a son of the late Don and Dot Burchfield McEntire. Ron began his piano studies in Meadville at the age of seven and after moving to Jamestown at fourteen, continued piano and began organ lessons, becoming the organist at Epworth Methodist Church during his senior year in high school. Following graduation in 1967 from Jamestown High School, he attended Houghton College pursuing a degree in Organ Performance before transferring to the University of Southern California and earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ Performance in 1971. After moving to the Eastern Sierra Mountains, he worked as Fiscal Director at a local hospital serving twelve years as Deputy Superintendent of the Mono County Office of Education in Bridgeport, CA. During this time, Ron became a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and received a Master of Science degree in School Administration from Pepperdine University. He retired as Associate Superintendent of Business Services for the South San Francisco Unified School District in 2006. Returning to Jamestown, Ron became Musical Director at St. Luke's Episcopal Church for four years before becoming organist at Christ First United Methodist Church for the next eight and a half years. During these years he returned to Houghton College and earned a Master of Music in Organ Performance. Over the last several years, Ron has also become a Certified Fitness Trainer and a Senior Fitness and Pain-Free Movement specialist. This past September, Bishop Sean Rowe, Bishop of Western New York, presented Ron the Bishop's Cross, the highest honor a bishop can bestow upon a member of the clergy or laity. He was also made an honorary Canon of the Diocese. Ron is survived by a daughter, Marina Brening (Kevin) and grandchildren, Mason and Connor, of Folsom, CA; a son, Jason Tyler "JT" McKay McEntire (Molly) of Panama, NY; daughter-in-law, Lori McEntire and granddaughter, Pepper Ann of Brocton, NY; as well as two brothers, Bob McEntire of Centerville, PA and Donald McEntire of Pelzer, SC. Along with his parents, Ron was preceded in death by a son, Jason R. McEntire in 2019. Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 14th in the Lind Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15th in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Luke F. Fodor, rector of St. Luke's will officiate. Inurnment will be in the St. Luke's Columbarium. Area musicians are invited to join the St. Luke's Choir for Ron's service. A combined choir rehearsal will take place at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service, in the church choir loft. Memorials may be made to the Canon Ron McEntire Memorial Fund, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701. To share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.