Ronald James McGilvra

Ronald James McGilvra passed away peacefully on December 5th, 2024, surrounded by family. 

Born October 9th, 1938, in Peoria, IL to Donald James McGilvra & Ida Louise Hanson McGilvra as their only child. They lived in Columbus, WI while his dad worked as itinerate dairy farmer until taking over the McGilvra 80-acre homestead in Baraboo, WI from ‘51- ‘57. Ron’s dad then accepted a call into ministry & moved the family to Kankakee, IL to attend Olivet Nazarene College. Ron attended Olivet Jr High & Bradley High School until his dad graduated & accepted his first Nazarene Church assignment in Montevideo, MN where Ron completed his senior year of high school in ‘57. 

Ron then attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID, receiving his BA in Literature & Language in ‘61 while working at JCPenney, becoming their top salesperson. During his years in Nampa, Ron accepted his call into ministry. Ron then attended The Nazarene Seminary in Kansas City, KS, ‘61- ‘64 where he met Carol Jo Green. They married August 22, 1963, and celebrated 61 years of a faithful, loving marriage this year. 

After Ron graduated from Seminary, he accepted his first pastorate in Bloomington, MN in ‘64, having their first son Donald Andrew & daughter Lisa Luann while there. The family moved to Salt Lake City, UT in ‘69 where they had their 3rd child, Darin James. From there Ron took pastorates for the Nazarene Churches in Reno, NV (‘71- ‘74), Richland, WA (‘74- ‘78), Nampa, ID (‘78- ‘84), Osseo, MN (‘84- ‘91), Sidney, MT (‘91- ‘92), & Miller, SD (‘92- ‘94). After moving back to MN Ron soon decided to go into Chaplaincy and retired as Nazarene Minister in ‘95 after 30 years of faithful service. 

In ‘97 Ron graduated from chaplaincy school, also completing his Masters of Divinity. He then served as Chaplain on staff for the Good Samaritan Society homes in Anoka, Golden Valley & Maplewood, MN until 2014. Ron felt Chaplaincy work was his true life’s calling, providing great joy & much healing for him, as his strengths shined in his care & service for that community. Ron continued to serve the Faithbrook church faithfully as an active member for 30 years & on staff ministering to the seniors & providing custodial care until ‘21. 

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Don & Lou McGilvra. 

Ron is survived by his wife Carol McGilvra, son Don (Jenny) McGilvra, daughter Lisa Webb, & son Darin (Sharon) McGilvra; granddaughters Sarah Woodward, Lauren Webb; grandsons Gabe Webb, Kyle & Josh McGilvra; great-grandsons Caleb & Jonathan Woodward. We will miss his wisdom, listening ear and unconditional love & support. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 11:00am, with visitation at 10:00am at the Faithbrook Church, 14100 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN. A light lunch will be provided at the church afterwards. 

If you wish to give to the family, you may Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/graceful2020 in lieu of cash/check.