Ron Kenoly, a gospel legendary musician and worship leader whose songs helped shape modern gospel music, has died. He was 81.
Ron Kenoly’s death was announced Tuesday on his official Instagram account by longtime music director and close associate Bruno Miranda. The post said Kenoly died the morning of Feb. 3. No cause of death was disclosed.
“For over 20 years, I had the honor of walking alongside him in ministry around the world, not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness,” the post read. “He was never an artist, never an entertainer. He was a worship leader.”
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“And he took all the time necessary to explain what that truly meant. A worship leader’s calling is not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship in the presence of a King; the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. … Today we grieve deeply but not without hope. The worship he lived is now the worship he beholds.”
BIOGRAPHY OF RON KENOLY
Ron Kenoly was born (Dec. 6, 1944) and raised in Coffeyville, Kansas. He stated that when his mother, Edith Kenoly, was pregnant with him, she would rub her stomach and pray “Lord let this one praise you.” He was interested in a musical career from a young age, later saying, “As a child I remember seeing Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole for the first time. I was so impressed as I watched two Black men grace a national stage. I knew right then that was what I wanted.”
Kenoly showed an early interest in music and moved to California after high school to pursue a career in entertainment. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1968, touring military bases as a member of a Top 40 cover band.
Best known for his songs – “Ancient of Days,” “Anointing Fall On Me” and “Righteousness, Peace and Joy,” Ron Kenoly rose to international prominence in the early 1990s as a central figure in the contemporary praise and worship movement. His 1992 live album Lift Him Up became the fastest-selling worship album of its time, introducing a generation of churches to large-scale, congregational worship marked by Scripture-driven lyrics.
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Another album, Welcome Home, produced by Tom Brooks, was later named Billboard’s top contemporary worship music album and won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for praise and worship album in 1997.
Before dedicating himself fully to ministry, Kenoly recorded secular R&B music under the stage name Ron Keith and later found commercial success as part of a duo with Candy Rae. He ultimately stepped away from secular recording, spending several years seeking a gospel music path before releasing his first Christian album, You Ought to Listen to This, in 1983.
“I was in obscurity for eight years, singing my songs. Wherever the door would open, I would go, and I would sing, making no money,” he said in a 2024 interview. “But that was the gift that was in me, and I was determined to use it. And I prayed, ‘Father, I’ll go through any door that you open.’”
Kenoly’s ministry expanded significantly after he joined Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California, where he became worship leader in 1985 and music pastor two years later. Ordained in 1987, he focused on teaching worship theology. In 1993, he was named the church’s Ambassador of Music and began consulting churches nationwide on developing worship ministries.
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He later earned multiple academic degrees, including a music degree from Alameda College, a Master of Divinity from Faith Bible College, and a Doctorate of Ministry in sacred music from Friends International Christian University.
PERSONAL LIFE
Ron Kenoly met and married his first wife Tavita while he was serving in the military. They had three sons during their 42-year marriage: Samuel, Ronald and Tony. His cousin is American actor Don Cheadle. Kenoly was married to Diana, a United Nations Ambassador, since November 24, 2014 until his death in February 2026.
LIST OF SONGS BY RON KENOLY
Discography
- 1991: Jesus Is Alive
- 1992: Lift Him Up
- 1994: God Is Able
- 1995: Sing Out with One Voice
- 1996: Welcome Home
- 1997: High Places: The Best of Ron Kenoly
- 1998: Majesty
- 1999: We Offer Praises
- 2001: Dwell in the House
- 2003: Solo Para Ti
- 2005: Lift Him Up: The Best of Ron Kenoly
- 2010: Christmas with Ron Kenoly
- 2013: Set Apart Is Your Name Yahuwah Vol.1
- 2015: Set Apart Is Your Name Yahuwah Vol.2
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Songs
Songs written or co-written by Kenoly
- Jesus Is Alive (1991)
- “Jesus Is Alive”
- “Keeper of My Heart” with Kelly Husted
- Lift Him Up with Ron Kenoly (1992)
- “Hallowed Be Your Name” with Louis Smith
- “We’re Going Up to the High Places”
- God Is Able (1994)
- “Our God Is Able (Rap)”
- “Use Me” with Dewitt Jones
- “Jesus Is Alive”
- Sing Out with One Voice (1995)
- “Joyfully, Joyfully”
- “Give to the Lord”
- “Welcome Rap”
- “We Dedicate This Time”
- Welcome Home (1996)
- “Go Ahead”
- “Heal Their Land”
- “I Testify Today” with Louis Smith
- “Welcome Home”
- “I Love To Love You Lord” with Louis Smith
- “Lord I Magnify” with Tavita Kenoly (wife)
- Majesty (1998)
- “Hallelujah to the King of Kings” with Renetha Muldrew
- “The King of Kings Is Coming” with Bob Ayala
- “Return To Righteousness America” with Don Moen and Tom Brooks
- “In Righteousness You Reign”
- “Hallelujah Reprise/Hallelujah Chorus (Hallelujah to the King of Kings)” with Handel, George Frederick and Renetha Muldrew
- We Offer Praises (1999)
- “We Offer Praises”
- “It Is Good”
- “Joshua Generation”
- “Plane Crash Testimony” (spoken word)
- “Broken Leg Testimony” (spoken word)
- “I Still Have Joy”
- Dwell in the House (2001)
- “Praise Him”
- “All The Way”
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Last modified: February 4, 2026
