Ronald "Ron" James Henning, PhD

On May 12, 2025, Ron peacefully entered the presence of Jesus surrounded by his loving family at Legacy Village in Tifton, Georgia. Ron was born on September 23, 1934, in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, to Harry Leslie and Lola Marjorie Henning.

Raised on the plains of Oklahoma during the challenging times of the dust bowl and the depression, Ron grew up in a home built on the values of hard work, love, and faith. His mother’s unwavering devotion to God left a lasting impression on him, and at the age of 16, Ron accepted Christ as his Savior at Reydon Baptist Church—an event that became the foundation of his life and work.

Ron was the first in his family and high school class to attend college, earning his BS degree from Panhandle A&M University and later a MS from Auburn University and a PhD from the University of Georgia. He began his career in animal husbandry and ranching before moving into agricultural extension and research. Hired initially as an extension agent for the University of Georgia system, he later became a state extension agronomist for peanuts, stationed in Tifton, GA. His distinguished career made a lasting impact on the peanut industry. His contributions included developing or refining innovative systems such as the Hull Scrape Method for optimizing peanut harvest, and the First Alert Aflatoxin System—tools that continue to be used today for peanut production and quality control.

Ron married Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Marshall in 1955 at the Reydon church where his spiritual journey began. Together, they raised four children—Jimmy, Ronald, Stephen, and Lola. This June, Ron and Betty would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

After an early retirement from the University of Georgia, Ron remained active in the peanut industry, working with several companies including Farmers Fertilizer and Milling Company, TriState America, DeLeon Peanut Company, and Henning Peanut Technology Services. It was in this stage of his career that he did pioneering work on early prediction and onsite testing for aflatoxin in peanuts.

Ron found his greatest joy in his family. He treasured his role as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His legacy will live on through his seven grandchildren—Anna Leigh Watts (Nicholas), Kristen Elizabeth Vaughn (Chandler), Caleb James Henning (Hannah), Stephen Andrew Henning, Amelia Rose Henning, Zachary Taylor Henning, and Dominic James Henning—and five great-grandchildren: Winston Thomas Watts, Oakley Jimmy Watts, Elend Ryan Watts, James Ronald “Jack” Henning, and Bear James Vaughn. Ron was especially looking forward to the arrival of another great-grandson, expected in September. He prayed faithfully for each of his family and took pride in their milestones and accomplishments.

Ron’s faith was reflected in his personal and professional life. He served as a deacon at Northside Baptist Church in Tifton, Georgia and later as an ordained Baptist minister at the Reydon (OK) Baptist Church and Buffalo Baptist Church in Sayre, Oklahoma. He also considered his service to farmers to be a ministry as well. Ron was never happier than when helping a friend, or with a farmer’s problem or later, serving as a minister to his church congregations.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; his four children, Jimmy (Faye) Henning, Ronald (Robin) Henning, Stephen (Kerre) Henning and Lola (Chris) West; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; twin sisters, Ruby Maye (Bud) Hiatt and Ruth Faye Schoenhals; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Harry Leslie and Lola Marjorie Harnish Henning; his brother, Harry Leslie Henning; and his sister, Catherine Louise Cole Brown.

A funeral service celebrating Ron’s life will be held at 2 PM on Monday May 19, 2025 at the Albritton Funeral Directors in Tifton, Georgia. Visitation will precede the service from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Interment will follow at White Rose Cemetery in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, at 10 AM on Saturday May 24, 2025. Upon the conclusion of the graveside service, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Reydon Baptist Church in Reydon, Oklahoma.

Nicholas Watts, Caleb Henning, Chandler Vaughn, Zachary Henning, Stephen Henning and Dominic Henning will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ron’s memory to Legacy Village of Tifton, 1934 Whiddon Mill Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793 in appreciation for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements