"Ronald Winans is part of the history of gospel music," Donnie McClurkin says. "I got my start in recording through 'Ronald Winans Family & Friends,' in 1987. He was my brother, he was my friend, and we'll all miss him very much. He went to heaven like a true saint of God with the biggest smile on his face. The family has decided to celebrate his life as opposed to mourn his death. Let us all follow that same example."

Fred Hammond also credits the Winans family with giving him his start in gospel music, and offers words of comfort to the family: "You all know your loss of Ron is truly my loss as well," he says. "Ron was a great friend and I, like many, will miss him dearly."

Winans began his career when he and brothers Marvin, Carvin and Michael were discovered by the legendary Andrae Crouch. They released their first album, "Introducing the Winans," in 1981 and became one of the most successful groups in gospel music.

CLOSE CALL

Winans endured a massive heart attack in 1997 and doctors told the family he likely would not survive, but he did -- and, against the odds, resumed his recording career. "Once I got back, I said, 'Lord, if you are able to do that, I want everything back,"' he told Billboard earlier this year, "because they thought I was going to be a vegetable."

He survived and thrived. His most recent project, "Family & Friends 5: A Celebration," was released in January on Entheos Records, a Detroit-based label founded by producer Doreonne Stramler. The project was recorded in May 2004 at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple, and was also released on DVD.

"Ron Winans was a beautiful spirit," Donald Lawrence says. "I always loved watching and hearing him in concert. He will be missed."

That sentiment is echoed by Take 6's Alvin Chea. "Take 6 is deeply saddened by the loss of our big brother Ronald," he says. "We say 'our big brother' because the black gospel community is truly that -- a family. We all root for each other, pray for each other, compete against one another but, most importantly, we love each other. Ronald was an 'ambassador of praise,' whose music, not only with his three brothers, but also with his beloved choir, transformed lives."

Chea remembers Winans as "a big, lovable teddy bear who adored his family, especially his sisters. Being one of the few living souls who actually dated a Winans daughter, I definitely know that firsthand.

"Ron will be missed," he adds. "His loss is a loss for not only the black gospel community in Detroit but the world at large. His scope and influence was as large as his smile."

The thing I'll remember about him was his warm personality, the joy he exuded during our interview and that he knew something better was waiting for him. "I'm so convinced that we never die. Spirits never die, it's just houses that we live in," he said. Recalling his near-death experience in 1997, he added, "I didn't see Jesus, because (if I had), I wouldn't have come back."

This time he didn't have to return.

Reuters/Billboard

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