Special Honorary Achievement
Reverend Ron Mowry was born in 1947 in Belleville, Ohio where he was raised on a farm. His childhood gave him a deep appreciation for nature, hard work, and great faith in the lord. Ron attended Otterbein College and received a Bachelor of Arts in religion and philosophy. It was there while singing in the a capella choir that he met Sue Simmons, a native of Akron, Ohio. They were married shortly after college graduation. His Master of Divinity was completed at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. While there he worked as a Youth Pastor at the First Baptist Church. His first full-time Pastorate was as an Associate Minister at the Church of the Master United Methodist in Akron, Ohio. While there, his two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Betsy were born. After five years in Akron, he was appointed to the Jefferson United Methodist Church in Jefferson, Ohio where he served from 1977-1984. In 1984 he was assigned to the First United Methodist Church in Ravenna, Ohio where he served for 12 years. His community involvements included the Strategic Planning Commission; the Teachers’ Advisory Council; Crisis Intervention Team; Chaplain of the RHS Football Team; Trustee of the Athletic Boosters; Member of the Ravenna Schools’ Values Program; Speaker for the National Honor Society; Grand Marshall of the Balloon A-Fair Parade; President of Ravenna Ministerial Association; Levy Committee; Motivational Speaker for the Lion’s Club Citizenship Program and Ravenna Kiwanis Club.