Who is Ron Kenoly? Life of the Great Gospel Legend
Ron Kenoly (December 6, 1944–February 3, 2026) was an American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter. He has three degrees: a music degree from Alameda College, a Master of Divinity from Faith Bible College, and a Doctorate of Ministry in sacred music from Friends International Christian University.
His musical career began after serving in the United States Air Force. He was previously a member of The Mellow Fellows, but he left due to family concerns.
His musical career took off in 1992, when Lift Him became the fastest-selling worship record at the time. Welcome Home, produced by Tom Brooks, received critical praise, earning Billboard’s top contemporary worship music album and winning a Gospel Music Association Dove Award for “Praise and Worship Album” in 1997.
He was previously signed to Integrity Music. Kenoly only performed on one of his recordings.
The globally acclaimed gospel musician apparently died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as confirmed by various artists on social media sites. Responding to the news, Nigerian gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey praised Kenoly, calling him a generational inspiration.
Who is Ron Kenoly?
Kenoly was born and reared in Coffeyville, Kansas. He explained that when his mother, Edith Kenoly, was pregnant with him, she would touch her stomach and pray. Kenoly relocated to Hollywood, California, after graduating from Coffeyville High School.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968. During his Air Force employment, Kenoly was a member of the Mellow Fellows, a top 40 cover band that toured military installations. After leaving the Air Force, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career.
He performed demos of Jimmy Webb compositions, including “Up, Up and Away,” for the Audio Arts label. The label also published Kenoly’s debut single, “The Glory of Your Love (Mine Eyes Have Seen).”” He eventually signed with A&M Records. The label’s management gave Kenoly the stage name Ron Keith, and he recorded R&B songs such as “I Betcha I’ll Get Ya,” “Soul Vaccination,” and 1975’s “Can’t Live Without You.” Kenoly and Candy Rae were the first artists signed to George Semper’s Inner City label. Semper said of their signing, “The two of them came and sang the song at my house, and I knew straight away I wanted to sign them.”
Their single “Lovely Weekend,” recorded in 1972 at Clark Brown Audio Studios in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, sold approximately 200,000 copies. Kenoly eventually quit making secular music and spent four years trying to land a gospel record deal. In 1983, he published his first Christian album, You Ought to Listen to This. Kenoly eventually began leading praise and worship for other pastors, including Jack Hayford and Lester Sumrall. This piqued the interest of evangelist Mario Murillo, who introduced him to Pastor Dick Bernal, the founder of Jubilee Christian Center in San José, California.
Kenoly began working as a full-time Christian preacher in 1985, as the worship leader at Jubilee Christian Center, where he led worship services. In 1987, he was ordained and installed as Music Pastor, taking charge of the church’s music department.
Kenoly was named Ambassador of Music for the Jubilee Christian Center in 1993. He began advising churches around the United States to help them strengthen their music departments. Kenoly earned his Doctorate of Ministry in Sacred Music in 1996.
Discography
- 1991: Jesus Is Alive
- 1992: Lift Him Up
- 1994: God Is Able
- 1995: Sing Out with One Voice
- 1996: Welcome Home
- 1997: High Places: The Best of Ron Kenoly
- 1998: Majesty
- 1999: We Offer Praises
- 2001: Dwell in the House
- 2003: Solo Para Ti
- 2005: Lift Him: The Best of Ron Kenoly
- 2010: Christmas with Ron Kenoly
- 2013: Set Apart Is Your Name Yahuwah Vol.1
- 2015: Set Apart Is Your Name Yahuwah Vol.2
Ron Kenoly Wife
Kenoly has five brothers (Mark Kenoly and Craig Kenoly) and three sons with his wife Tavita: Samuel, Ronald (also known as The Kenoly Brothers), and his oldest son Tony. His cousin is Don Cheadle, an American actor.
Ron Kenoly Cause of Death
Ron Kenoly, an American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter, died at the age of 81. Bruno Miranda, Kenoly’s music director, announced the news on the singer’s Instagram page.
The announcement stated that the worship leader died on February 3, but did not disclose the cause of death. Miranda, who worked with Kenoly for almost two decades, regarded him as both a mentor and a spiritual father. He highlighted that Kenoly was very deliberate about his vocation.
