Ronald Wayne Browning

Ronald “Ron” Wayne Browning was born in 1942. He is a native of Baton Rouge and a proud 1960 Istrouma High School graduate. He returned to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026. He was 83 years old. 

Ron retired from DHH as a manager of Adult Protective Services where he trained investigators of abuse and neglect cases. He was a professor of Public Speaking at LSU-Eunice and at Baton Rouge Community College for many years. He was extremely passionate about the spoken word and always received very high marks from his students. Ron was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baton Rouge and later in Covington.

He is survived by the great love of his life – his wife Karen Buckley Browning. He is survived by his five daughters with his first wife Carol: Chandra Dixon (Gerald); Rachel Cupit; Meredith Breaux (Wade); Emily Shelton (Austin); and Crystal Argrave (Vincent); and two stepchildren Erin Cook (Corey); and Jonathan Balius (Vanessa). He is survived by his brother Marlon Browning. He is also survived by two men who will always be his sons-in-law: David Johnson and Chris Cupit. He was blessed with 20 grandchildren: David, Jared, and Patrick Johnson; Nicholas and Madeline Cupit: Jacob Browning, Bailey and Hannah Breaux; Tyler Browning and Savannah Shelton; Noah and Scarlett Argrave; Logan, Nolan, and Jameson Cook; Victoria and Alexander Balius; Skyler and Devin Dixon; Christa Lynn Johnson and 6 great grandchildren. Proceeded in death by: His parents Vannie Lee and Alma Rowland Browning, his sister Linda Barnard, and nephew LaMar Barnard.

Ron was well known by all as a remarkable public speaker, totaling over 1,000 speeches, starting as a young child and throughout his life. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-year mission in the Great Lakes region. He faithfully held numerous positions including Stake President and Bishop. His favorite calling was Sunday School teacher. He gave hundreds of Church speeches and spoke at over 100 funerals. Ron was a warm, dynamic, humorous, uplifting, and inspiring speaker. In all his family get togethers, he would always give a short speech (or as one of his daughters said “Not always so short”). One of the most cherished traditions within his family is the Browning Family Circle, holding hands and expressing gratitude. It is a tradition we will lovingly carry on.

He was patriotic at heart with a sincere and lasting love for America. His unwavering faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and devotion to the LDS Church was a source of strength, comfort, and purpose to him and those around him. He will be remembered as a loving father, devoted husband and great Pawpaw.

What Ron would want everyone to know is that he was blessed to have met and married Karen Buckley Browning. He was amazed to be with her every day. He looks forward to seeing her in the eternities. In his words, “May God bless her and bless my family and God bless America.”

The family of Ron Browning would like to invite all who knew and loved him to join them as we commemorate his life. A visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 1:30 PM until funeral services are held at 2:30 PM, with graveside services to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.