Ronald Wade Towery

Ronald Wade Towery, better known as Ron, Ronnie, “Dr. T,” or “Pop,” bid farewell to this world on May 1, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the age of 77. He finished a twenty-two month glioblastoma journey, leaving a profound legacy of love, kindness, and compassion for others. Daughter Kim has very early memories of lessons he taught her about kindness, especially toward animals. Ron was the epitome of a true southern gentleman in both personal and professional respects.

Ron was born on August, 21, 1947, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Coley and Jean Towery. After graduating from S.D. Lee High School in Columbus, he attended Mississippi State University, where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the MSU bulldogs. To this day he still supported the “dawgs,” although he also began rooting for the UGA bulldogs since his granddaughter is pursuing her education at the University of Georgia.

Ron’s professional career began in public school teaching, although he eventually moved to administrative and higher education positions. He held assistant professor status at Mississippi University for Women and Middle Tennessee State University before moving to Arkansas State University in 1988 to work in the College of Education and Behavioral Science. Dr. Towery had multiple areas of expertise in teacher education with his skills being apparent not only in his teaching but also in his supervisory role. He served as interim chair and then chair for a period of seven years. He played an important role in the development of curriculum and field/internship experiences for major licensure changes over a span of years. He was instrumental in the work that began school partnerships for field experiences, working with Astate individuals, public school faculty and administrators to fashion new ways to prepare students for teaching. Dr. Towery was a member of and chaired the department PRT committee for years, mentoring new faculty through that process successfully. He also worked with off-campus centers and faculty in three locations. His scholarship and contributions to the education field through numerous publications and presentations on a variety of topics support his professional legacy.

Dr. T was caring and conscientious in working with students and as a professional working with administrators and classroom teachers, showing genuine interest in the success of others. He also had strong connections with faculty and respect from fellow chairs across the A-State campus. It is impossible to count how many teachers and students have directly or indirectly been impacted by Dr. Towery’s work during his thirty-six years at Arkansas State University and previous eighteen years in education.

Ron was known for his sincere love of people, his friendly nature, always being gentle and tender-hearted toward others. He never met a stranger nor did he ever engage in a short conversation with anyone. There was rarely an exchange with family, friends, colleagues, teachers or students, that a story was not part of the discussion. Storytelling must run in the Towery family, as Ron and his sister Pam often spent hours sharing funny memories of experiences growing up in Mississippi, each trying to outdo the other. Communication for Ron became very difficult for him toward the end of the illness; however, his sense of humor remained surprisingly intact.

Ron had a great love of the outdoors, particularly caring for and tending his beautiful green lawn. He spent many hours planting, sodding, and watering, just enjoying the work as his favorite pastime and a labor of love. In recent months, he spent time educating Pam on “proper care” of the lawn, so she could carry on that important duty. In his earlier years, gardening and fishing with his buddies were favorite hobbies.

Ron spent many enjoyable mornings and afternoons on the screen porch of his home observing the sights and sounds of nature. He was an enthusiastic bird watcher, having recorded over 43 different species of feathered friends visiting and feeding in his Jonesboro yards. He shared his love of birds with friends and family, especially his sister-in-law, Camille, who became fond of the same hobby. How exciting it was for them to share the first sighting of a rose-breasted grosbeak or brightly colored goldfinch in the spring! Many fall and winter seasons Ron would scatter food and provide water for the many deer, who frequently wandered through the Terra Hills property.

Ron Towery was a man of strong faith. In fact, faith and grace guided and protected his final journey home, with many blessings and miracles along the way. His beliefs were lived out through service, godly character, and benevolence to others. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and dearly loved his church community.

Ron will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 53 years, Pam; daughter Kim Childers and husband Curtis; granddaughter Mary Sloan Childers; sister Pam Rhea and husband Clyde; sister-in-law Camille Galloway and husband Bob; brother-in-law Jim Cunningham; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ron’s beloved animal friends, Winston and Magic, who reside at the Childers’ home, will remember the unique connection they shared. The Towery family expresses sincere gratitude to Tiffany and Kay, who took wonderful care of him in recent months at home and the loving attentiveness provided by the staff of the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. Ron’s colleagues in Teacher Education and the College of Education and Behavioral Science held a special place in his heart.

Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, May 5, at 4:00 pm, in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church at 801 South Main, Jonesboro, with visitation in the Hon Lounge at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Hope Circle, 4808 E Johnson, Jonesboro, AR 72405 or Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401.