Please in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ron's life work, the Community Music Center of Houston, https://cmchouston.org/donate/

Ronnie Dayle Scales passed away on May 2, 2024. He was born on December 7, 1946, in Austin Texas. He is survived by his two children Ronnie Jonathan Scales and Christopher Deshi Scales.  He is also survived by his niece Grace Scales, daughter of his deceased brother Norman Scales and wife Denese, and niece and nephew from his brother's previous relationships, Norman W. Scales III and LaTonya Traylor, as well as a great niece, a great uncle, Dr. Audrey (wife Tillie) Mackey, and many other cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother Lydia Verlena Mackey Scales, a retired educator, father Norman Wilfred Scales Sr., an original Tuskegee Airman, and Norman Scales Jr. a musician, manager and prayer warrior.

Ron graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1965 where he played on the football and track teams. He joined the Navy and trained in San Diego for about a year before he was honorably discharged.  He attended Prairie View A&M for 1 year and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a bachelor's in arts in 1975.  During his time in college, he married Paula Nell Chapman for a few years and had his two sons.  Also, in the 1970's, he started a record store which was very successful for a while.  The store culture was friendly and generous and would be a template for many of the non-profits he created later in life.  He eventually closed the business and moved to Houston.

In Houston he worked for various companies, but the company that had the greatest impact was the Houston Urban Area League.  He started as a volunteer but did so well that he was hired full-time and worked on community projects, honing his skills of getting people to work together for long-term goals. He would go on throughout the years to do a lot of training in non-profit arts administration.  He joined Wheeler Ave Baptist Church where he sang in the choir under Clyde Owen Jackson.  In 1979, he and fellow church and choir member Patricia Johnson were encouraged by Reverend William A. Lawson to start the non-profit, The Society for the Preservation of Spirituals.  He then realized that the mission needed to include preserving all Black music traditions so the name was changed to the Community Music Center of Houston.

In 1983, at the Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH) he teamed up with Anne Lundy who became music director and was encouraged by Ron to form the Afro-American Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra.  Many professional and amateur musicians, singers, artists, and students found their calling at CMCH.  For example, in the late 80's to 90's, the group Musical Truth, which trained amateur singers, and Rhapsody, which consisted of trained singers, nurtured artists who went on to have careers in musical theaters, clubs, churches, etc.  CMCH thrived at 5613 Almeda, Houston TX 77004 and later at the LaBranch location, producing numerous music events at schools, churches, and theatrical venues like Wortham Theater and Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Ron Scales has played an instrumental role in the startup success of pivotal community organizations like the Ensemble Theatre, the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, Community Artists Collective, The Third Ward Community Cloth, and Galveston's Nia Cultural Center.  He also learned (and then trained others) about stock trading. He continued to be a big fan of track and basketball, as well as to exercise regularly with weights, jog, and do yoga and tai chi.  He also loved movies.  But most importantly, developing his spiritual life, his connection to God and Jesus Christ, and understanding the mind/body dynamic (for example meditation and hypnosis) were important goals throughout his life.

Ron's life was a testament to his optimism, wry sense of humor, perseverance, and love for the Houston community.  He always worked to foster the potential in everyone he met and continued to love his family, be loyal and helpful to his friends, and mentor or be a Godfather to youngsters and teenagers throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.