Ronald Pierce Layne

Ronald Pierce Layne died peacefully at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, his family later moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Ann Keeney Layne. Together they celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage and a lifetime of selfless service.

Lovingly known by family and friends as “Dad,” he left a legacy of faith, generosity, laughter, and pure joy. Every day, he announced, “We are blessed,” and blessed we have been. His parents, Howard and Ruby Layne, taught him well. In a time when husbands and fathers went to work and came home and propped up their feet, he paced the floor all night with his fussy children, vacuumed and mopped and washed dishes (often before the person eating was actually finished eating), and entertained his children.

As a former Rotary District Governor, he imbodied the “Rotary 4-Way Test” in all areas of his life. His career spanned 50+ years with the majority of his time as an electrical engineer at Rust and BE&K. As a concerned member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, he and a friend recognized the need for changes in middle school mathematics and created MATHCOUNTS, now recognized nationally.

A man of few words, Dad led by example. He taught his family to give freely without question, to see a need and do something about it, and to live life to its fullest. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren watched and learned what a life of service to others looked like. Dad loved people well.

As a lifetime deacon at Huffman Baptist Church, middle school Sunday School teacher, and member of the Happy Hearts choir, he was at the church every time the doors opened. With his Bible in his lap, he spent hours sitting in a cozy room at home reading and studying and praying. Dad knew and served the Lord, his Shepherd.

Dad’s work ethic was impeccable, and he loved to see a plan come together. It didn’t matter what the plan might be. He simply loved watching all the pieces fall into place. As he “measured twice and cut once” dorm room carpet, worked a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle, built Christmas toys in the wee hours of the night, or any other task that required deep concentration, his tongue wagged back and forth – a quirky trait that found its way into future generations.

He was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church and served as a board member, trustee, or volunteer to countless organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Camp ASCCA, and Mobile College. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Whistling his way through life and cheering on his UT Vols, he kept people hopping and roaring with laughter. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Keeney Layne, his two children Ronald Pierce Layne, Jr. (Odessa) and his daughter Jordan Layne Sanders (Mark), his five grandchildren, Laurin Sanders White (Bryan), Ian Hunter Layne (Caroline), Layne Michelle Sanders, Zachary McKibben Sanders (Anna), and Kieran Wolfgang “Wolfie” Layne, his four greatgrandchildren, Tucker Shields White, Levi McKibben Sanders, Vaughan Sanders White, and Campbell Brock Sanders, and his sister Elizabeth Layne “Libby” Rogers (Mark). He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard Taft and Ruby Ball Layne and his brothers, Howard Lester “Sonny” Layne and Leonard Raymond “Skip” Layne.

A celebration of his life will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:00. Visitation with the family will precede the service beginning at 10:15 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Rotary International PolioPlus Fund, or Camp ASCCA.