Ronald Lewis Wise

RONALD L. WISE Ron played on the first Little League team established in the Madison School District, spending every season with the Ray Lumber team. Throughout his grade school years, he was selected as the all-star pitcher every season in both Little League and Pony League. Attending Sunnyslope High School, he was the ace pitcher his freshman year for the varsity baseball team. He lettered 4 years in baseball and 3 years in football. In his senior year, Ron was voted to play on the Arizona All-Star Football Team as its quarterback. He received many collegiate scholarship offers for football and baseball and signed a letter of intent to play football at ASU, but his life took a different turn. In his late-20s, Ron established Christ Temple Church in the Phoenix inner-city. Remaining senior pastor until 1978, he devoted many years to the Lord's service, and went on to minister as a teacher, through involvement in multiple churches, and through recorded online sermons. He was an accomplished journeyman electrician up until his retirement age - and even beyond. In 1977 he established his own contracting company, Circle J Electric. He mentored several young men who went on to establish their own electrical contracting businesses, including his son and son-in-law. He was a wonderful and faithful father - setting a Godly example to his five children: Tim (who preceded him in death), Lisa Bedford (m. Stephen), René McClay (m. Bob), Jennifer Lee (m. Ulysses) and Byron (m. Lisa). He adored his grandchildren: Jacob Wise, Alyssa Geronimo, Tiffany Wise, Devin McClay, Olivia Bedford, Andrew Bedford, Jackson Lee and Ruby Lee. And, he looked forward to his first great-grandchildren, the Wise-Geronimo twins due in 2026. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Roberta Kramer Wise. *Ronald desires to have "Beulah Land" sung or played (properly-as by Burl Ives) at his funeral service.
A celebration of life for Ron will be held at 10 am on February 7, 2026 at Dream City Church in Phoenix. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ronald Lewis Wise, please visit our Tree Store.