Henry Ronald (Ron) Samuels passed away on June 18, 2026. He was born June 15, 1941 (Father’s Day) in Louisville, Kentucky to William Henry Samuels and Florence Edna Rose Samuels. He lived his early life at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he attended schools through the 9th grade. While growing up there, he worked selling ice cream for the Army Airforce Exchange Service. He graduated from Vine Grove High School in 1959. He maintained a close lifelong relationship with three of his high school friends who were a constant for him throughout his life: Don Skeeters, James D. “Hutch” Hutcherson, and John Vititioe.
After graduating, Ron visited his brother, William Conrad (Connie) Samuels, in Amarillo, Texas. It was a life-changing event. Together, they convinced their father to transfer to the Amarillo Air Force Base so their parents could move to Amarillo. Ron enrolled in Amarillo College in 1959 and joined a local fraternity. Having no prior experience, he ran for college cheerleader by choosing the prettiest girls he could find to do an audition routine with him. Not only did he win the spot, but he won the heart of his lifelong partner and fellow cheerleader, Janet Sue Hudson. They were married June 30, 1962, at Polk Street Methodist Church of Amarillo. Ron always said that every time he heard "The Lord’s Prayer," he relived hearing it sung as he knelt at the altar with Jan. They were just four days shy of being married 61 years when she passed away on June 26, 2023.
Ron’s career started in 1959 with Dwight’s Oil and Gas Reports in Amarillo. In August 1965, Jerry Dwight offered him the position of Vice President (though the company had only three other employees). Ron moved his young family to Oklahoma City in June 1969 to open the company's second office, and then to the Dallas area in early 1970. Ron and Jan lived in Collin County for the rest of their lives, including 14 years in Plano, 17 years in Parker, and over 21 years at the Heritage Ranch community in Fairview. Ron continued to expand the company databases until they covered 96% of domestic production information, became President of Dwight’s in 1977 and retired in 2005 after 46 years of dedication. In 1983, he was asked to join the Board of a new state bank start-up, Independence Bank in Plano, later serving as Chairman of the Board.
He was deeply active in his community and church. Ron and Jan were longtime, devoted members of the First United Methodist Church in Plano, where he served on and chaired numerous committees over the years. He was also active in the adult chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Plano during the 1970s and early 1980s. For many years, Ron hosted an annual fundraising golf tournament that raised major funding for the Autism Treatment Center of Dallas. From 2013 to 2021, he served as Vice President of the nonprofit Breast Cancer Can Stick It!, which was founded by his daughter, stepping down from the role when he turned 80. His favorite hobbies over time included playing tennis, racquetball, and golf. Bass fishing became his ultimate passion at his and Jan's lake house. Over the years, they maintained one lake house at a time, moving from Lake Texoma to Lago Vista, and finally to Holly Lake Ranch.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jan; his parents; and his only sibling, William Conrad Samuels, who passed away in 1998. He is survived by his children: son, Todd Ronald Samuels and Todd’s wife Tanya Kaye Samuels, and daughter, April Denise Samuels and her wife Mary Elizabeth Riley-Samuels. He is also survived by his three beloved grandchildren, who are the children of Todd and Tanya: Hudson Ronald, Grant Harrison, and Tatum Avery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Ron's honor to the First United Methodist Church, Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074, or to the Breast Cancer Can Stick It! Foundation at Breast Cancer Can Stick It! - Breast Cancer Fundraising, Research, Awareness.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 11, 2026 at First United Methodist Church Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074.