Ronald Edward Johnson, age 78, of Zephyr passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Abilene. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. at Blaylock Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at Freedom Fellowship Church (1040 Early Blvd Early, Texas 76802), reception following. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home. Ronald was born on December 18, 1939, in Harlingen, TX, to Richard Kosse and Sammie Lee (Barker) Johnson; he was the second of three children. Ron spent over fifty years in education reform. During those years he went by several titles: Dr. Johnson by his business associates, “Doc” or Dr. J by his students, Ron by his family and “Cass” by his beloved wife Nancy. In 1964, Ron married Nancy Foster of Tucson, Arizona; she was the love of his life and he adored her. Together, they raised seven children and taught them, above all, to love God and serve him faithfully. Ron and Nancy (also an educator) poured their heart and soul into reforming the education system. Ron started his career in education in early 1965 when he became an elementary teacher in Casa Grande, Arizona. From August 1965 to 1967, he served as head teacher at Hyder Independent School District in Dateland, Arizona, during which time he had the unique opportunity of driving a US Army amphibious vehicle (as a school bus) across a flooded river, to transport stranded school children to and from school. Later in 1967, he was recruited as a Ford Fellow with the Ford Foundation and was awarded a fully-financed year of post-graduate studies at any school of his choosing, because they counted him as one of 66 young educators in America who would most likely influence education in the following decades. In 1968, at the age of 29, he was recognized as the youngest school superintendent in Arizona, serving at the Tubac ISD until 1971. The following year he was included in the Who’s Who in the West in education. Also, in 1971, Ron became principle of Gideon Christian School in Springfield, MO, serving in that position until 1972, when he joined Accelerated Christian Education (School of Tomorrow). In their employ, he traveled all over the United States and across the globe. He served in various positions, including Vice President of Development until 1993. During that time, he was responsible for writing procedures manuals, designing and directing the International Student Convention which brought teens from all over the globe to compete in Olympic-style events, conducting educational seminars worldwide, and setting up pilot projects in Jamaica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Paraguay. In 1994, Ron founded Paradigm Alternative Center in Dublin, TX, an alternative school for “at risk teens.” In 1995, USA Today cited Paradigm as among the top 55 schools for at-risk youth. At the same time, work was begun on Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC). Ron served as president of Paradigm, opening three additional Charter Schools in Comanche, Wallis, and Early, TX, until 2010 when, due to heart issues, he transferred the schools to Responsive Education Solutions. During that time, Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum came into its own, servicing homeschools, public schools, and private academies. Ron was a driven man who got up at 4:30 most mornings to have his “quiet time with God” so he could start his day with guidance and purpose. He loved God above all else and adored his family. He was a cowboy at heart and always dreamed of owning a ranch where he could ride horses, raise cattle, and in the cool of the evening watch the beautiful Texas sunsets with his beloved Nancy. He was a romantic at heart and bestowed to all seven of his children the love of reading, travel and adventure. Ron was always reading a book or biography of great leaders of history; albeit, his favorite authors were George MacDonald and Zane Grey. He constantly challenged himself to be better, learn more and grow each day. He loved to fish, hunt and write books. Ron authored numerous, articles, two high school courses and 21 books, including his auto-biography. His greatest memories were those when he was able to travel and spend time with his family. During his years with ACE, he was gone approximately 45 percent of the time while the children were growing up, so time spent with them was precious to him---- whether deep-sea fishing in Kino, Mexico, visiting the Nation’s Capital in Washington, DC, exploring Yellowstone National Park or indulging in quiet evenings under the stars with a crackling campfire. Ron and Nancy enjoyed spending time with their family, teaching them be independent, yet to rely on God for his wisdom, direction and purpose in their lives. Ron was a faithful husband, a beloved father, and servant of the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy of Zephyr, TX; son, Hugh Johnson of La Grande, OR; grandson, Luke Johnson of La Grande, OR; grandson, Levi Johnson of Spokane, WA; son, Nathan Johnson and his wife Lenise of Camp Wood, TX; grandsons, Mason, Cody and Kyle Johnson of Camp Wood, TX; daughter, Rachael Merritt and her husband Russell of Kennesaw, GA; granddaughter, Ashton Merritt of Kennesaw, GA; grandson, Brandon Merritt, his wife Dana, and great-grandson, Austin Merritt of Dallas, GA; grandson, Joshua Merritt, his wife Carly, and great-grandson Peyton of Dallas, GA; daughter, Rebecca Browder and her husband Darren of Midland, TX; grandchildren, Victoria, Benjamin and Charlotte Browder of Midland, TX; daughter, Sarah Barbee and her husband John of Edna Hill, TX; daughter, Hannah Barbee of Chama, NM; daughter, Lydia Seals and her husband Bryan of Zephyr, TX; and grandchildren, Daniel, Joshua, Abigail, Cassia and Josie Seals of Zephyr, TX; sister, Beverly Wiggins and her husband Raymond of Lake Junaluska, NC; niece Donna Hunt, grand-niece Julianna, and grand-nephew Roman of North Richland Hills, TX; nephew David Wiggins, his wife Jenny, and grand-niece Katie of Ridgeland, MS, and grand-nephews Patrick and Eric of Columbus, MS; nephew Daniel Wiggins of St. Louis, MO.