Life and times of gospel legend, Ron Kenoly

By Oluwapelumi Olusanjo

The global Christian community is mourning the death of legendary gospel singer and worship leader Ron Kenoly, who passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the age of 81.

Born on December 6, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas, Ron Kenoly rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in contemporary gospel and worship music, with a career that spanned nearly six decades.

Kenoly was born to Edith Kenoly and was raised in Coffeyville, Kansas. He often spoke about his mother’s prayers during her pregnancy, believing they shaped his lifelong calling to worship ministry.

He developed an early interest in music and was inspired by iconic Black performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole. After completing high school, Kenoly moved to Hollywood, California, to pursue a music career.

He later served in the United States Air Force between 1965 and 1968, during which he was a member of The Mellow Fellows, a band that toured military bases across the U.S.

Kenoly was also highly educated, earning 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.

After leaving the Air Force, Kenoly explored secular music, recording R&B songs under the stage name Ron Keith and working with labels such as A&M Records and Inner City Records. He achieved moderate commercial success, including the 1972 single Lovely Weekend, which reportedly sold close to 200,000 copies.

However, Kenoly later turned away from secular music, dedicating his life fully to Christian ministry. In 1983, he released his first gospel album, You Ought to Listen to This, marking the beginning of his journey into Christian worship music.

Kenoly’s breakthrough came in 1992 with the release of Lift Him Up, which became the fastest-selling worship album of its time. The album cemented his status as a leading voice in praise and worship music.

He went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including God Is Able, Sing Out with One Voice, and Welcome Home. Welcome Home earned a Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year in 1997 and topped Billboard’s contemporary worship music chart.

Songs such as Majesty, Sing Out, Anointing, All Honour, and Righteousness, Peace & Joy became global worship anthems, sung in churches across continents.

Kenoly was signed to Integrity Music for most of his worship career and was known for his vibrant, scripture-filled praise style that blended gospel, worship, and congregational participation.

Beyond recording music, Kenoly served as a full-time minister at Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California, where he was ordained in 1987 and installed as Music Pastor. He later became the church’s Ambassador of Music, consulting for churches across the United States on worship ministry development.

In 1999, Kenoly relocated to Central Florida, from where he continued to travel, teach, write, and record until his death.

He also authored books on worship and ministry, including works co-written with Jubilee Christian Center founder, Pastor Dick Bernal.

Kenoly was married twice. He was first married to Tavita Kenoly, with whom he had three sons — Samuel, Ronald, and Tony — during their 42-year marriage. In 2014, he married Diana, a United Nations Ambassador, and remained married to her until his death.

He was also related to Hollywood actor Don Cheadle, who is his cousin.