CHARLES RONALD (RON) WELLS

June 8, 1941 - March 13, 2022

Charles Ronald (Ron) Wells died unexpectedly at his home in San Antonio on March 13, 2022.

Ron was born on June 8, 1941 in Borger, Texas to Dell and Shirley Stevens Wells. His mother later married Clay R. Hillin, who would become the true father figure in his life. Ron graduated from Amarillo High School in 1959, majored in Music Education at Texas Tech, and earned a BA and MA in Music Education and Conducting in 1964.

In more than 50 years of involvement with public education and the fine arts, Ron had an impact that would be almost impossible to quantify.

In his single year as Band Director at Memphis (TX.) High School, his band was named Outstanding 1A Band in Texas. During his 15 years at his alma mater, AHS, his groups won numerous awards, twice being named Texas Honor Orchestra, outstanding orchestra in Texas (1972 & 1978). Ron was also named TODA orchestra director of the year in 2000.

In his capacity as a fine arts director at AISD in Amarillo and Northeast ISD in San Antonio, and as vice-president of TMEA, he brought his passion for the arts to all Texas communities, championing arts education throughout the state. After retiring, he continued to work as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator of band and orchestra competitions until 2018.

Ron and the love of his life, Dorothy Alexander Wells, were married almost 60 years. Both professional musicians and music educators, Ron and Dot worked hand in hand to further music education for more than five decades.

Their two children, Mike and Melanie, and only grandchild, Chance, brought them immense joy and pride. They also took great pleasure in spending time at their cabin in Idlewild, New Mexico, with their many friends on the mountain. Always the life of the party, Ron and his legendary jokes will be sorely missed.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife Dot, and his parents Clay and Shirley Hillin. He is remembered by his son Mike, Mike’s wife Alissa, and their son Chance, of Katy, Texas; daughter Melanie Wells and her husband Dennis Ippolito, of Dallas; and the countless friends, students and colleagues whose lives he changed forever.

Services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kildlinks, which links kids to healing, hope and happiness through music. https://www. kidlinks.org/donate