Ronald Surridge was born on 29 October 1928 at the family council house in the coal mining town of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. His mother was a Seventh-day Adventist, though his father was not. At the age of 14 Ron left home and came to work as a shoe repairer in Watford. It was here that he made Adventist friends, was baptised, and decided to study for the ministry. He spent seven years at Newbold College, which is where he married Rachel Phillips, the daughter of lecturer Pastor E B Phillips. After a short time in ministry the couple left for the United States, where Ron spent five years studying at Washington Missionary College. He returned to England in 1958 with a master’s degree and a young son, Robert. After a year pastoring in London, during which time their second son, John, was born, the family moved to the North England Conference. Here Ron served as a pastor and the Conference Youth director. After five years of missionary service in Nigeria and Ghana, they returned to England where Ron studied for a second MA at Manchester University. Further positions included British Union Conference Youth and Education director, pastor of the Stanborough Park church, Irish Mission President, Northern European Division Education director, North British Conference President, and finally, Head of the Religion department at Newbold College. In retirement Ron enjoyed golf but remained committed to ministry, preaching in churches across the North England Conference, and playing an active role as a member of the Grantham church. He died on 15 November 2021, aged 93, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for a number of years.
Ron’s memorial service will be held at 11:15 am on Tuesday 7 December 2021, at the Stanborough Park church. All are welcome to attend.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, and written tributes left, at https://ronaldsurridge.muchloved.com
