Thomas Martin Ruane, longtime leader in Texas Baptist collegiate ministries, died Jan. 18. He was 77. He was born July 21, 1945, in San Antonio to Ary and Francis Ruane. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary. He later received a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He served 36 years with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in student ministries and institutional ministries. He was campus minister and Bible teacher at Tarleton State University, Howard Payne University and the University of Texas at Arlington. He worked in the BGCT student division from 1979 until 2000, and he later served as associate director of institutional ministries and director of church relations consultants. After retiring from the Baptist Building, he worked as development director for the Baptist Standard. Ruane served as an interim pastor and visiting preacher in many congregations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he helped start and was pastor of several cowboy churches. In his final days, Ruane pointed out to his family the Bible has more than 7,000 promises, but tomorrow is not one of them. He reminded them God does not take our loved ones; rather, God receives them. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Alice; son Richard; daughter Kristen and her husband Jeff; son Jason and his wife Rachael, and five grandchildren; brother Jim Ruane; and sister Delia Rawlinson. Visitation with the family is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 27 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home. Memorial donations can be made to the Baptist General Convention of Texas church starting here or Texas Baptist student ministry here.
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