Ronald S. Fontenot Sr. was born on April 16, 1951 to Mrs. Willie Faye Fontenot and Rev. Albert E. Fontenot Sr. in Chicago, Illinois, and gave his life to Christ at a young age. As a child he enjoyed playing with his older brother Albert Jr., and as a young student he attended Blessed Sacrament School where he excelled in his classes. As a 7th grader in 1963, he was one of the Top Ten students honored by the Chicago Historical Society Special Awards Program. He received a “Torch of Knowledge Trophy” for his efforts. Ronald entered St. Mel High School in 1967 and joined the International Honorary Society for High School Journalist.

Two years later, he was awarded a scholarship as a General Dynamics National Achievement Scholar in recognition of his outstanding work at St. Mel High School. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and named Outstanding Teenager of America. Upon graduating from St. Mel, Ron received an Illinois State Scholarship, and a Wilfred Cornell Studios Annual Music Award.

In 1969 he was accepted by the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign as a freshman seeking a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. During the summers, he worked for the Material Service Corp of General Dynamics Corps and received stipends for his work. Two programs from this period really impacted him. First, during the summer, he successfully completed a 6-week program in Engineering Science for high school students at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. And second, in the summer of 1970, he travelled to Kenya with the American Institute for Foreign Studies. He studied at the University College Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ron earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in June, 1973 and his Masters of Science Degree in 1974 both from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While in grad school, he met Patricia McIntyre, a graduate student from California, who was completing her Masters in Library and Information Science on the same campus. They were married in August of 1974 and moved to Denver, where Ron began working as an Engineer for Amoco Pipeline.

For over 30 years, Ron, as his colleagues knew him, worked in the field of engineering, at Amoco Pipeline Co, Western Electric, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, and Avaya Inc. His engineering career includes 20 years as an engineering manager in circuit and firmware design, project management, and software development. He later taught Pre-Calculus and other math courses as an adjunct instructor at College America and Community College of Aurora.

In 1981, Ron was instrumental in starting the JETS (Junior Engineers, Tomorrow’s Scientists) program as a member of the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists (CABPES). For over 30 years, Ron taught Digital Electronics and other classes, including Fun with Microcontrollers, which he also developed. Many of the JETS students have gone on to successful careers in engineering and other STEM fields. In 2005, Ron received the 9 Who Care Award and the Channel 7 Everyday Hero Award in recognition of his work with JETS. Ron also served for 4 years on CABPES Board of Directors.

Ron’s community service over the years also includes key roles in Bell Labs Summer Science Program, National Student Science & Engineering Competition, CU Career Development Advisory Council, Fundraising for the CABPES Technical Resource Center, and 4 years on CABPES Board of Directors. He also served as a Cub Scout leader when his sons were in Cub Scouts. Other awards Ron has received include being a 2010 M.O.D.E.L. Award Honoree, presented by the Epsilon Nu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the 2020 Outstanding Community Servant Award presented by Sisters in Service.

In 2010, Ron co-founded Colorado Futuretek with John Henson, and served as the organization’s first president. He was heavily involved in the operations of Colorado Futuretek until his death, serving in different capacities throughout the years. The vision of CFTEK focused on a strong commitment to helping African Americans and other underrepresented minority students and senior citizens bridge the “Digital Divide” and thrive in today’s technology-driven world. In the span of 15 years, Ron’s dedication for Colorado Futuretek has helped to impact the lives of hundreds of middle and high school students in the Denver area who want to pursue careers in technology.

He started the SummerTEK program and co-taught the Introduction to Computer Networks class. He also helped to start the Silver Saturdays and SilverTeks programs, which focus on senior citizens, and the STEAM program, which focuses on middle school students. Always looking for opportunities to expand Colorado Futuretek’s impact, he also taught CNET after school classes at Overland High School. As the driving force for the organization’s fundraising, he secured sponsorships from several companies and foundations, including Microsoft, Daniels Fund, Denver International Airport, Denver Broncos Foundation, and CHFA.

Ron has served at several churches, as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, Marriage Ministry Leader, VBS Teacher, Youth Retreat Leader, and Pastoral Search Committee Member. He also served as Director of Christian Education at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. In 2019, he was presented with the Beacon of Light award from the True Light Baptist Church Men’s Ministry.

Ron was very happily married to his wife Patricia for 50 years. During their life together, they were blessed with three children: Christine, Ronald Jr., and David. Ron was a wonderful and active father who shared his love of technology with his family. He would bring home computer, games, and other technology for his children to learn and try out. He was a loving Christian father and husband who was the spiritual leader of the family. He always attended his children’s activities including their sports games, school activities, church events, awards ceremonies, and graduations. He supported his children’s art and other endeavors, and always encouraged them to do their best.

Ron also enjoyed working outside in the yard, planting gardens, playing chess, and taking his family on vacations to different national parks. Playing piano from the age of 5, and having taught piano lessons in high school, he would often play classical and religious pieces at home. Playing and singing Easter Cantatas with his wife is a treasured memory.

In 2022, he was diagnosed with cancer (AML). With treatment he was able to live another two and a half years in remission. The cancer returned in April 2025, and he went home to be with the Lord on May 30th, 2025. His favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Ron is survived by his loving wife Patricia, daughter Christine, sons Ronald Jr. and David, one brother Albert Jr. (Dorothy), and a host of nieces and nephews.

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