Ronald "Ron" Humphrey

After graduating from Abilene High School, Ron attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene Texas , Texas A&M University in College Station and the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed his PhD in 1958. Dr. Humphrey served his entire 36 year professional career in cancer research at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Smithville, Texas. He had over 110 peer reviewed scientific papers published, was member of the Radiation Research Society and Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Many of the treatments that are now improving the lives of cancer patients, including chemotherapy and radiation, were pioneered by Ron and his associates at M.D. Anderson. He had the longest-running grant in the history of the National Institute of Health at the time of his retirement. Ron also loved the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Genealogy researcher in his retirement and compiled a family tree with over 15,000 tree members going far back into the Middle Ages in Europe.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ruth and his parents.

Ron is survived by three sons, Devon Humphrey (Bonnie), Blair Humphrey, Rhett Humphrey (Sharon); grandchildren, Melissa Urso (Shea), Matthew Humphrey (Tiffany), Joshua Humphrey, Kelly Rodriguez (Allie), Andrew Humphrey, Bradley Humphrey, Dillon Humphrey, Jacob Humphrey, Stephanie Humphrey, Samantha Humphrey; and sister, Nancy Robertson (Dale).

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in loving memory of Dr. Ronald M. Humphrey.

A Celebration of Ron’s life will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday May 14th at the Bastrop Christian Outreach Center in Bastrop, Texas.