Ronald Edward Boutwell (better known as “RB” within his teaching and theatre families) passed into the Heavenly arms of his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on July 18, 2022 after a short illness. Ron was born in Baird, TX, to Benjamin Edward and Verna Glycene (Bray) Boutwell on April 7, 1936. In 1943, the family moved to Fort Worth. As a young boy, Ron constructed miniature stage sets in a cardboard box. He created cardboard characters and spent many hours performing stories from his imagination. Ron’s fascination with theatre grew as he performed in various high school plays, notably Jeepers Creepers. He also “performed” as a cheerleader for the Lake Worth Bullfrogs during his junior year. Ron graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1954 and Texas Christian University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, specializing in Theatre Education. Ron spent two years in the Army then he met Dorothy Jean Sullivan. They were married on July 30, 1960. They had two children, James David and Denise Lynn. After the army, Ron taught Drama at Irvin High School in El Paso for six years then spent a year at North Texas State University earning a Master’s Degree. In the fall of 1967, Ron was employed by Southwest Baptist College and moved his family to Bolivar, MO. He taught Speech, Drama & Theatre at SWBC (now SBU) for 30 years. Ron began writing Christian plays in the 70s to be performed at SWBC. In 1982, he worked with a group of SWBC students to form Stained Glass Players, the first full-time Christian theatre in Springfield, MO. As the lives of the original group of players took them in different directions, the original name was replaced with Stained Glass Theatre (SGT).

Ron accepted Jesus as his Savior as a young boy, but it wasn’t until he was 50 years old that he truly committed his life to Jesus as his Lord. In his own words: “Before that time, I had been walking and leading SGT with my natural self, trying to make it work with my own power. Now I am walking in the Spirit, relying on God’s power. Praise the Lord for another miracle.”

After he retired from SBU, Ron & Dorothy moved to Springfield. In 2003 Stained Glass Theatre moved to Ozark, and so did they. In October, 2008, Dorothy passed away. A year later Ron met Dena Shepherd when she auditioned for a show he was directing. Their friendship evolved into romance. They were married on May 5, 2010, and a year later moved to Dena’s home near Nixa. Ron retired as Executive Director of SGT in August of 2011 but continued to be involved with the theatre as Founder and Executive Director Emeritus for many years. Ron continued to direct shows into his eighties and continued writing, with three productions in draft, until he fell ill.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 48 years Dorothy, his brother-in-law & sister Hubert Gene & Sylvia Gail Boutwell Williams, brother-in-law Jimmie Dale Sullivan and granddaughter Heather Nicole Boutwell-Viau.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years Dena Keithley Boutwell, son James David Boutwell, wife Sheila; daughter Denise Lynn Boutwell Schriver, husband Kevin; and sister-in-law Carolyn Millican Sorden. He is also survived by Dena’s sisters Florence Case and Francie Medlin (JD) and her brother Chris (Brenda) and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Granddaughters: Charity Dawn Williams (Randy), Megan Shea Anderson (Austin), Lauren Paige Schriver & McKenzie Leigh Schriver Whaley (Caleb).

Grandsons: Steven Anthony Boutwell (Tara), Jeremy Benjamin Pacacha (Nikol) & Alex Christian Schriver (Mikaela).

Great Grandchildren: Caitlin Linae Williams, Jared Luke Williams, Jordan Lee Williams, Konner Mickaela Pettus, Hailey Lynn Anderson, Alice Elizabeth Anderson, Benjamin James Boutwell, Milena Noel Viau, Dorothy Candace Viau, Matthew Sullivan Viau, Bennett Davidson Pacacha, Charlotte Blake Pacacha, Phillip Jaxson Pacacha, Atticus O’Brien Boutwell, Thomas Mason Boutwell, & one baby girl due in January 2023 to Alex and Mikaela Schriver.

Great-Great Granddaughter: Lula Heather Boutwell.

Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to suggest memorial contributions in RB’s memory to continue Serving Christ Through The Arts: Stained Glass Theatre, P O Box 355, Ozark, MO 65721. Better yet, Come Out and Enjoy a Show during their 40th Anniversary Season which opens on Friday, September 16; sgtheatre.com.

Funeral Arrangements will be under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, 3506 N National Ave, Springfield, MO 65803.

Visitation: August 3, 2022 @ 9am

Second Baptist Church

3111 E Battlefield Rd

Springfield, MO 65804

Celebration of Life to follow at 10:30am, with graveside services at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3506 N. National Ave. Springfield, MO. 65803, immediately following.