Ronald Chilton Boren, 59, of Muskogee, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. He was born on January 24, 1960, to Horace and Martha R. (Burns) Boren. Ron grew up in Muskogee, attending Longfellow Elementary, Cascia Hall (Tulsa), West Junior High, and graduating from Muskogee High School in 1978. He was the youngest of five sons.

Ron's father, Horace, was a professional photographer and owned and operated radio stations. As such, Ron developed a passion for photography and music at an early age. His earliest influence was his mother who studied at Ward Belmont in Nashville. As a youngster, he developed an ear for blues/rock music. At the age of 14, Ron quietly rolled his family's sedan down the street, eventually driving all the way to Cain's Ballroom where he snuck in to see and photograph, using his Dad's camera, legends; Johnny Winters, Lightning Hopkins, and Bugs Henderson. Subsequently, Ron became close friends with fellow musician Mike Antle, a young guitar player from Muskogee. Mike had a huge impact, musically, on Ron before his untimely death at a young age, but Ron continued to give Mike accolades for years to come for his incredible guitar skills. Those experiences set his passion for music which never waned.

Ron was a founding member of the band, The Shakers. He also was a member of 6ft Landing, The Swon Brothers, and Buddy Holly and The Legends of Rock 'n Roll. Ron felt extremely blessed to play percussion in the "Mini but Mighty Orchestra" for the production of "Nanyehi" with Becky Hobbs and Duane Sciacqua.

Ron worked in the music industry his entire adult life as a musician, recording studio owner and engineer, and was employed by John Michael's Music and Square Deal Music. He was a founding member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, becoming the tour guide and curator for the museum not long after it was opened in 2002. Ron considered his greatest blessing was working at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Youth Group from 1998 through 2011.

Ron was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music history and his passion for cars, Formula 1 and NASCAR in particular. However, his greatest attribute was most often described by his friends as being a kind and gentle soul who strived to lift up everyone he encountered. He was well known for his firm handshake, followed by that tight hug and three slaps on the back. Most conversations with friends ended up with him saying "Love you, brother" or "Love you, sweetie."

Ron was proud to be a 40+ year cancer survivor, far surpassing doctors prognosis by 30 years. Ron loved sharing this story with other cancer patients as inspiration. He was predeceased by his father, Horace Boren, his mother, Martha Boren, and brother, Alex Miller. He is survived by brothers Barry Boren of Muskogee, Burnie G. Miller (Dorcas) of Waco, Texas, and Connell R. Miller (Judy) of Bentonville, Arkansas; nephews Alex Reynolds, Scott Miller, and Chase Miller; nieces Leslie Kemp and Alisha Yates Marshall; aunt Patricia Halford King; and many great-nieces and nephews as well.

Services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2019. Pall Bearers specifically selected by Ron will be Shane Curtis, Bobby Young, Robert Watson, Lou Hays, Mac Durnil, Nick Young, Tony Olzawski, Colton Swon, Zach Swon, and Jim Thompson. For Honorary Pall Bearers, he selected Ted Aukerman, Michael Davis, Kem Frix, Chris James, Harley Hamm, Jim Blair, John Dellamaggeria, Dave Howell, Jermaine Mondaine, Jeff Harlin, Andy Kay, David Kay, David Watson, Kelly Swon, Barry Love, Derek Gibson, Phil Sapienza and John Hasler.

Ron identified many close friends that he is survived by, including Jennifer Bockius Todd, Mellisa Hollifield Smith, Zoee Rolland, Sarah Rolland Herig, Susan Thompson, Ineta Bebb, Joyce McFarland, Becky Hobbs, Andrea Ditto, Marian Dellamaggaria, Evelyn Hibbs, Marjorie Szabo, Willie Reaves, Chris Tracy, Kyle Beard, and George New.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Ron's name to Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Youth Instrument and Music Instruction Fund, P.O. Box 3221, Muskogee, OK 74401. The family's wish is to establish this specific purpose fund to help possible future Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame legends in Ron's name. A music celebration will be held on Sunday, September 15th at noon at The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Services are under the direction of Bradley Funeral Home.