Ronald Vern Wilkinson

Ronald Vern Wilkinson, age 92, passed peacefully at his home in Bryan, Texas, on September 21, 2025, comforted by his family and beloved caregivers in his last days.

Vern was born on July,16, 1933 to the late Foy and Audrey Wilkinson. He grew up in Cedar Vale, Kansas, along with siblings Joe, twin sister Fern, Ivan, and Oleta on farms near Cedar Vale. After graduating from Cedar Vale High School, Vern married Grace Harp. They moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked for Boeing as a machinist and then as a salesman for White Star Machinery. He moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1968 to start and manage a branch office for White Star. In 1972 Vern decided to go into full time ministry.

Vern loved singing and preaching. He sang with his wife and shared their music at several churches. While living in Wichita he began to minister on weekends to two small churches, Peru Christian Church and Niotaze Christian Church, both in Kansas, and this ministry continued after his move to Tulsa. In 1972, he was called to become the full-time minister at Chetopa Christian Church in Chetopa, Kansas. He served in that capacity until 1975 when he took a position at Christ In Youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After a few years with CIY, he determined he was better suited to serving as a congregational minister. He first ministered to Colonial Christian Church, in Tulsa, before becoming the long-time minister at Bixby Christian Church. After retiring from the ministry, Vern worked for Floral Haven Funeral home in Tulsa after which him and Grace moved to Bryan, Texas, in 2000 to be near their daughter Twila. While in Bryan, Vern worked part time at Memoria Funeral Home.

Vern’s sister, Oleta, and wife, Grace, preceded him in death. He is survived by their two children Twila and Steven. Twila Runyon lives in Bryan with her husband Ron, and Steve Wilkinson lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, with wife Barbara. Vern is also survived by four grandchildren—Twila’s daughters Charissa Stamm and Angela Runyon, as well as Steve’s children Taraneh Wilkinson and Carl Wilkinson. Vern has six great grandchildren—Charissa’s children Wyatt, McKenzie, Violet, and Angela’s children Landon, Emery, Cohen. Three of Vern’s siblings are still alive as well. Older brother Joe Wilkinson lives in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Vern’s twin sister Fern Cherry lives in Newton, Kansas, and younger brother Ivan Wilkinson lives in Estes Park, Colorado.

To celebrate Vern’s life and deep faith in Christ please join us as we gather at Life Point Christian Church on Saturday, October 4, at 10:30. His ashes will be interred in the Cedar Vale cemetery alongside his wife shortly after Thanksgiving. There will be a memorial service in Cedar Vale at that time to once again remember the positive influence Vern had on so many lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Life Point Christian Church, Bryan, Texas, Luminos Hospice, or Broadmoor Court Assisted Living in Bryan.