Dr. Kim Lawrence Renas

Kim L. Renas, age 66, of Livonia; went home to be with his Savior on March 31, 2019. Beloved husband of 42 years to Jane; dear father of Linden Lea (Chris) Peters, Kirsten Renas; proud Opa of Kristian and Kieran; cherished son of Eleanore and the late Herb; brother of Kevin (Kathy) Renas, Kip (Joanne Murray) Renas; brother-in-law of Sioux (the late Zeke) Zilantis, Russell Barnes along with many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, colleagues, and an extensive family of students. Kim was born in Highland Park, MI on July 13, 1952, to loving parents Herb and Eleanore Renas. Kim was the oldest of three, and he loved laughing and playing baseball with his younger brothers, Kevin and Kip. As they got older, the boys helped Herb with the family landscaping business. Kim’s love of music was instilled in him by his high school choir director, Lowell Everson, at Livonia Stevenson High School. In 1970, Kim served as Choir President for his senior year. He would go on to study music at Schoolcraft Community College and Eastern Michigan University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music. When he was in undergraduate studies, Kim formed a small vocal ensemble with his brothers and friends, that ministered at his home church and others in the area. During his graduate studies, he served as the business manager of the EMU Madrigal Singers, coordinating their tour of England and Ireland in 1976. He would later return there with his own choirs. During his time at EMU, he met Jane Barnes, a fellow voice performance student in the Masters Program. During their courtship, Kim led Jane to a relationship with Jesus, and upon graduating they became engaged. After beginning their teaching careers at Liberty University (then Liberty Baptist College), Kim and Jane married on November 27, 1976. At EMU and throughout their marriage, Kim and Jane often sang together in church, concerts, Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, and operas. While at LU, Kim served as the choir director, taught private voice, and founded the select Chamber Choir. This choir sang at Thomas Road Baptist Church for their student services, and performed at official college functions. During these early days of the college, Kim and Jane were instrumental in shaping the curriculum for voice majors at Liberty. Kim shared his love of England with his students, taking his choirs on mission tours to the British Isles in 1980, 1982, 1985, and 1987. Kim and Jane formed close relationships with many of their students, which last to this day. In the summer of 1982, he and Jane studied opera performance at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. In the spring of 1983, their first daughter, Linden Lea, was born. In the fall of 1988, Kim and his family moved to Mansfield, PA, where he taught voice and conducted choirs at Mansfield University. In 1989, their second daughter, Kirsten, was born. In 1990, Kim completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts through the University of Maryland, which he had begun in 1978. During the 1990’s, Kim served in the music ministry at First Baptist Church of Wayne, Ward Church, Praise Baptist Church, and Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he and Jane have been members for the past ten years. He also took one of his church choirs on a performance tour of the British Isles in 1996. Kim taught at various public schools in the Detroit area, eventually coming to Wayne-Westland Community Schools in 2004, where Jane had been teaching music since 1992. He was active in the Michigan choral and vocal music community, as an adjudicator and choral performance coach. Kim returned to Schoolcraft Community College, where he taught Music Appreciation and other music courses. He also taught voice lessons at Wayne State University, choir and voice at Madonna University, and voice at William Tyndale College. By the time he retired in 2011, Kim had taught music to students of all ages, from Kindergarten through postgraduate level. Though he had a particular passion for working with college students and conducting choral music, he cared for all his students and inspired a love of music in their hearts. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, teaching at Schoolcraft, and ministering in church. In 2016 he suffered a debilitating stroke, the effects of which he fought for three years. On Sunday, March 31, 2019, he finished the fight and went home to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Some say he left before 9:00 AM so he could warm up the angel choir in Heaven. Kim often expressed that he felt his purpose was to train musicians in excellence to minister for the Lord, and everyone who knew him would agree he accomplished just that. The visitation will be Sunday, April 7th from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. with a 6:30 P.M. Remembrance Service at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Rd., W. (between Sheldon & Beck). The Funeral Service will be Monday, April 8th at 11 A.M. at Trinity Church, 10101 Ann Arbor Rd. W., Plymouth, MI 48170. The family will gather at the church to greet friends on Monday beginning at 10 A.M. until the funeral service. Interment will take place at Parkview Memorial Park Cemetery, Livonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Livonia Fire and Rescue, EMS Donation Fund, 14910 Farmington Rd., Livonia, MI 48154. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To leave a tribute of condolences, please click on the 'Share a Memory' tab on this web page.

Dr. Kim Lawrence Renas

July 13, 1952 - March 31, 2019