Ronald Kenneth Songstad (Ron) was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on June 1, 1941 to Kenneth and Iona Songstad. Ron grew up playing little league baseball and began his life-long love affair with the game of golf at age 11. Ron, his sister Marilyn, and his parents moved to Dallas, Texas in 1955 when Ron was 14 years of age. He gave his life to Christ in the same year at the Gospel Lighthouse Church, which was pastored by young Ron’s future father-in-law J.C. Hibbard. Ron eventually married Jaynell Hibbard Songstad in 1961 and the two embarked on 63 years of love, sons, and a host of adventures.
Ron began attending University of Texas at Arlington in 1959 and studied Business Accounting. Ron then went to work at South Oak Cliff Bank and was consistently receiving commendations and promotions until he was recruited by Jimmy Dean Foods in 1986. He then became the Chief Information Officer for Sara Lee Corporation after their buyout of Jimmy Dean Foods. Ron and his wife Jaynell raised three boys, Randy, Brent and Darren Songstad. Randy became an attorney, while Brent and Darren became dentists. But Ron’s claim to fame is that he raised three professionals and three “pretty good” golfers.
Ron was an avid golfer for over 72 years. He developed a love for golf at an early age and was a member at Colonial Country Club in Memphis and The Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin Tennessee. Ron cherished the camaraderie of his friends at both Colonial and The Legends until the day he passed.
Ron had an undying passion for the Scriptures. He loved studying the Bible and he was a teacher on Sunday mornings for over 44 years. He served as a Deacon at several Baptist churches and most recently served at his beloved Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ron is survived by his wife Jaynell Hibbard Songstad, their three sons, Randy Songstad (Michelle), Brent Songstad (Ynell) and Darren Songstad (Angela). Additionally, Ron is survived by his six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 11:00 am – 1:00 pm with Celebration of Life immediately following at Forest Hills Baptist Church at 2101 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville, TN 37215 on Friday, March 28, 2025. Ron’s family will gather privately at Harpeth Hill Memory Gardens for burial prior to services on Friday. https://taylorsince1909.com
Flowers are appreciated or make any donations to Ron’s favorite charity Lemon Tree Ministries at www.lemontreeministries.org.
TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING AND TO PRESENT YOU BEFORE HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE WITHOUT FAULT AND WITH GREAT JOY. JUDE 1:24
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