A Life Full of Devotion to Christ’s Kingdom
Celebrating Ron Tobias
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7
Ron Tobias, 66, of Boca Raton, fought a lifelong battle against heart and lung illness from a congenital heart defect until his soul passed from this earth to join his heavenly Father, whom he loved and served with unceasing faithfulness.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Miriam, three children, and their spouses: Josh (Sarah), Calvin (Lia Kollewe), Hannah Tobias Mezzell (Justin Mezzell), and three grandchildren (Piper, Hudson, and Greta Mezzell), his sister, Connie Jo Tobias, also survives Ron, and his brother, Bob Tobias (Janet). Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Esther Tobias.
Ron earned an A.A. from Montreat-Anderson College in North Carolina and a B.A. in Business Administration from Geneva College in Pennsylvania. It was there in 1979 that Ron met his future wife, Miriam. The couple married in 1980, and Miriam later graduated from FAU. Shortly after that, Ron and his father started a family business, Gulfstream Shutters, in Boca Raton, joined later by Ron’s brother, Bob Tobias.
In 1996, Ron accepted a call to ministry at Spanish River Church and worked alongside Founding Pastor David Nicholas. Under David’s leadership, Ron’s work and passion for church planting took shape and grew, and work Ron continued to champion, well after Pastor Nicholas’ passing. Ron also served as Executive Pastor at SRC for many years, a calling Ron cherished in a congregation he loved deeply, serving with a staff he cared for with devotion. His steady leadership at Spanish River during even the challenging seasons, especially the pandemic, brought hopeful clarity and comfort to thousands.
An excellent counselor, Ron loved listening to people share their stories and helped countless people through difficult times. Supremely, Ron loved sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and supporting the commitment Spanish River has made to help plant hundreds of churches across the globe. Ron’s contribution to this effort has left a mark on this world and significantly impacted the advance of Christ’s Kingdom in our time. In all of this today, Ron would ceaselessly urge all not to focus on any leaders or their gifts but on Jesus, telling others of the Good News of His saving life, death, and resurrection.
— Email to SRC by David Cassidy —
I am writing to inform you that our beloved friend Ron Tobias has departed this life for everlasting life. Ron closed his eyes in faith and opened them in glory late Wednesday evening on July 12th, 2023.
Facing his own death, Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord… will award me on that day - and not only me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-8). Ron has finished his race, and the crown is now his. We rejoice with him even as we grieve together.
As you know, Ron battled significant heart issues throughout his entire life. Despite the weaknesses and limitations this imposed on him, he and Miriam offered Spanish River Church and the Christ’s Kingdom every fiber of their being in service to the Gospel.
The fruitfulness of their work and love is incalculable on this side of eternity. SRC and countless other churches, pastors, church planting movements, and international Gospel pioneers owe so much to Ron’s unwearied devotion to Jesus and the Gospel. His selfless service and principled leadership will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.
We can never thank God enough for Ron and Miriam, and Ron’s absence will be profoundly felt by us all.
Please pause today and offer thanks to God for Ron, to pray for Miriam and the Tobias family, and for all who deeply grieve his departure. May God’s smile meet our brother’s entrance into glory and make Ron’s rest from his labors sweet and his reward great.
Do you have a story to share about Ron Tobias?
Ron himself was a wonderful storyteller. If there are stories that you would like to share about Ron, whether it displays the greatness of his humor or the magnitude of his love, we ask that you please share it with us as we collect memories.
Honoring Ron’s Legacy
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Share Media
We hope to keep the memory of Ron Tobias alive. If you have photos or videos you’d like to share as we prepare to celebrate his life, please use the button below to send your captured memories.
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Pray with Us
Please join us in prayer for Ron’s wife Miriam, his family, and all of those deeply affected by his departure and offer thanks to God for all that he did through Ron’s widespread and Gospel-centered ministry.
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Make a Donation
Ron was committed to seeing the Gospel spread to all nations. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting that a donation be made to Spanish River Church Planting, our ministry committed to resourcing gifted church pioneers here and around the world.
Watch Ron’s Memorial
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.