Ronald "Ronnie" Joe Bourland

Ronald Joe “Ronnie” Bourland of Paint Rock TX, and formerly of Vernon, TX gained his eternal wings on Sunday, May 19, 2024.  Ronnie was born November 11, 1946, in Vernon, Texas to Edward Samuel “Ed” and Elizabeth Maxine “Peggy”.

Ronnie enjoyed a highly competitive sports filled life, featuring football, golf, basketball, track and baseball.  His talents in football would earn him a college scholarship to Angelo State University as a wide receiver.  He was a competitor at heart and truly loved the opportunity to teach and coach his own children as well as many student athletes throughout his 50-year career in education and coaching.

A Texas history teacher and coach by choice, Ronnie’s education began with a bachelor's degree in History, and he returned to his hometown of Vernon to begin his career.  After enjoying coaching and teaching for a number of years, he furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree in administration as well as a superintendent’s certificate and continued his desire to work in the public school system as both High School principal and Assistant Superintendent.  He subsequently retired in 1996.  After being retired only a short time, Ronnie’s passion for coaching was too much to ignore.  He returned to Coach and teach Texas History until retiring once again in 2020, celebrating several hundred winning games with his players.

Ronnie’s greatest passion was his love for family, especially for his son, daughters, stepdaughter, stepson, grandchildren, and above all for his true love, Becky, who stood by him for 31 years in times both of great joy and great sorrow.

Ronnie loved deeply, protected his family and those he cared about fiercely and always fought for what he believed to be right, no matter the personal cost to himself. He always tried to put others’ needs ahead of his own.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Edward Russell “Eddie” who are now celebrating their heavenly reunion.

Ronnie is survived by his wife Becky, his children Brandi Massey (Chad), Sandi Coughlin (Carey), Layne Russell “Rusty” Bourland (Shannon), stepchildren Robin Hirt (Chad), Jason Key, grandchildren Jake, Ally, Kate, Jessica, Mason, Payton, Presley, Bryson, Kymbree, Neely, Kylee and Wacey Lane as well as a niece and nephew, cousins, in-laws and an entire world that is now diminished by his absence.

Ronnie and Becky also embraced a few other children through their daycare business in Amarillo, Texas, who called them PaPa and BB.  Abby Hodge, Reagan and Rileigh Gilley and Kaden and Ella Snyder.  Most recently, they were adopted as grandparents by a student athlete who they taught/coached while at Paint Rock ISD.  Shotze Hennig asked them if they would be her grandparents, and they were honored to fulfill that role.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Mia, Adrianna, Denise, Mary Lou, Ken, Victoria, Rachel, Misty, Trisha and all of the staff at Concho Health and Rehab Facility.  We would also like to give a special thank you to Darci, Maggie, Keila, Amy, Julie, Clemente, Ana, Claudia, and the rest of the staff at Hospice of San Angelo for their outstanding care of Ronnie, as well as his former students and players who thoroughly loved “Coach B”.

Pallbearers are Doyle Close, Jerry Doyle, Ladd Byars, Terry Harvey, Tony Harvey, Mike Brannon, Mike Morgan, Steven Thiebaud, Dewight Sims, Wally Barrett.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 11:00 am at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of San Angelo - 3001 S Jackson St - San Angelo, TX 76904