Ronnie Singleton Obituary, Death: 19-Year-Old Drowns Retrieving Basketball at Wendtwoods Park Pond in Texas

Wendtwoods Park in The Woodlands, Texas, is usually a scene of laughter and family gatherings — a tranquil green space where children play, neighbors walk dogs, and teenagers shoot hoops on warm evenings. But on a quiet Sunday night, the peaceful rhythm of summer life was shattered by tragedy when 19-year-old Ronnie Singleton, a young man described as kind-hearted, protective, and deeply loved by those around him, drowned in the park pond after attempting to retrieve a basketball.

The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Ronnie had been playing basketball with his younger brother, close friends, and a few coworkers. What began as an ordinary evening of friendly competition ended in heartbreak when the ball bounced off the court and into the pond just beyond the playground. Without hesitation, Ronnie, who didn’t know how to swim, stepped into the water in an effort to retrieve it. He never made it back to shore.

A Brother’s Game Turns Tragic
Ronnie Singleton was a recent high school graduate and had just begun working full-time with a landscaping company while considering enrollment in community college. On the evening of the incident, he had been spending time with his younger brother — just 12 years old — who idolized Ronnie as his role model, protector, and best friend. Their mother, Erica Singleton, said that Ronnie often made time for his little brother, even after long workdays.

“They were inseparable,” she said tearfully. “If Ronnie was playing ball, his brother was right there. Ronnie would make sure he was included. Always.”

It was during one of these moments — a shared game among siblings and friends under the fading Texas sunlight — that the ball accidentally rolled and bounced into the pond that borders the basketball court. Witnesses reported that Ronnie casually jogged after it. What none of them realized at the time was that Ronnie could not swim.

“He didn’t hesitate. He just walked into the water,” said Malik Jordan, a friend and co-worker who was there that evening. “We all thought he’d just grab it and walk out. Then we saw him start to struggle.”

The Silent Seconds That Turn Deadly
Wendtwoods Park is equipped with a number of amenities: shaded play areas, walking trails, and a community pool. But the pond — a man-made body of water meant for aesthetics and drainage — has no swimming allowed signage, no lifeguards, and no barriers around its perimeter. While it’s often mistaken for a harmless decorative pond, it drops off sharply just a few feet from the edge.

According to several on-scene witnesses, Ronnie stepped into the water and almost immediately sank. At first, his friends thought he was joking. It wasn’t until they heard gasping and saw his arms flailing that panic set in. Several people rushed to the edge of the water, shouting his name, and a few attempted to go in after him. But the darkness, combined with the murky water and uneven footing, made visibility and rescue efforts nearly impossible.

“I jumped in, but I couldn’t find him,” said one friend, who asked not to be named. “We didn’t know where he went under. He didn’t come back up.”

Emergency responders were called immediately, but it took nearly 20 minutes for rescue divers to arrive and locate Ronnie’s body beneath the water.

The Search and Recovery
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with local fire and emergency medical services, were dispatched to the scene around 9:05 p.m. By the time they arrived, a crowd had formed — friends, parkgoers, and several families drawn to the flashing lights and anguished cries. Divers from the local fire rescue team entered the water shortly after arrival and began sweeping the pond with underwater detection equipment.

At approximately 9:25 p.m., Ronnie’s body was recovered and brought to shore. CPR was initiated immediately, but he was unresponsive. Paramedics continued efforts on-site before transporting him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:48 p.m.

Montgomery County Fire Marshal officials later confirmed that the area where Ronnie drowned had a sudden 6-foot drop-off just six feet from the shoreline — a feature not visibly marked or secured by signage or fencing.

Family Devastated: “He Was Everything to Us”
Erica Singleton, Ronnie’s mother, was at home when she received the call from her younger son. The voice on the other end was choked with tears.

“Mom… Ronnie went in the water… and he didn’t come out…”

Erica raced to the park, her mind spinning between disbelief and desperate hope. By the time she arrived, emergency vehicles surrounded the area. The pond was cordoned off with police tape. A stretcher was wheeled into an ambulance, and a quiet, grim acknowledgment passed between first responders. Her worst fear was confirmed.

“I collapsed. I screamed his name. I begged them to let me see him,” Erica recalled. “I thought I’d faint. I wanted to wake up and find it wasn’t real.”

Family members described Ronnie as a loyal son and big brother, a quiet yet determined young man who had recently begun talking about going back to school to study graphic design. He had a talent for drawing and had been slowly building a portfolio.

“He was going to be somebody,” Erica said. “He already was somebody. He mattered.”

A Community in Mourning
News of Ronnie’s death spread quickly throughout The Woodlands and the larger Montgomery County area. Local churches held prayer vigils. Dozens of teens and young adults who knew Ronnie — from school, work, and neighborhood basketball courts — posted tributes online, many using the hashtag #RememberRonnie.

One teammate from his high school basketball team wrote: “He had heart. He played with everything he had. Never talked trash, just showed up and did the work. Rest easy, bro.”

Ronnie’s employer, a small landscaping company based in Spring, Texas, also shared condolences, describing him as “punctual, respectful, and always willing to lend a hand.”

His former coach, Marcus Eldridge, called the news “absolutely devastating.”

“He wasn’t the loudest kid, but he had a deep impact. Ronnie was someone who never quit — on the court or in life.”

Calls for Safety Reform at Wendtwoods Park
As the Singleton family prepares for a funeral they never expected to plan, community leaders are beginning to question the park’s safety measures — or lack thereof.

The pond where Ronnie drowned, according to local officials, is one of many in The Woodlands designed for stormwater management. Though swimming is prohibited, enforcement is minimal, and signage is sparse. Some parents expressed outrage that more hadn’t been done to fence off or secure the area, especially given its proximity to the basketball court and children’s play structures.

“There should’ve been signs, or a barrier,” said Denise Aguilar, a mother of three who frequents the park. “That water looks shallow, but it’s not. I never let my kids near it — but teenagers don’t always know the danger.”

Local officials have acknowledged that the tragedy has raised urgent safety concerns.

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Wright issued a brief statement Monday: “We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to the Singleton family. We are reviewing all safety protocols related to this and other park ponds.”

Some residents are calling for Ronnie’s death to serve as a catalyst for change. A petition demanding that safety fencing and proper signage be installed around the Wendtwoods pond has already gathered over 2,000 signatures.

“We can’t bring Ronnie back,” said Pastor Leon Green, who is organizing a community forum on youth safety. “But we can make sure no other family has to endure this nightmare.”

Remembering Ronnie: A Life Interrupted
At 19, Ronnie Singleton was at the precipice of young adulthood — caught in that familiar space between teenage uncertainty and adult responsibility. He had just started saving for a used car. He loved sneakers and was known for his flawless fades and quiet confidence. His little brother described him as “a superhero” — someone who never let him get picked on and always had his back.

He enjoyed sketching portraits, playing pickup games, and occasionally beatboxing during long bus rides home from school. Ronnie wasn’t the kind of teen who dominated the room, but his presence — steady, reliable, warm — left an imprint on everyone he met.

At his family’s apartment, his bedroom remains untouched — a pair of sneakers by the bed, notebooks filled with half-finished drawings, and a handwritten list of goals taped to the closet door. At the top of the list: “Be someone my little brother can look up to.”

He already was.

The Final Goodbye
Funeral services for Ronnie Singleton will be held Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church, where he was baptized as a child. The community is expected to attend in large numbers, and the family has invited anyone who knew and loved Ronnie to share stories, photos, and memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to a new foundation they are launching in Ronnie’s memory — one focused on youth swimming education and water safety in underserved communities. They plan to name it The Ronnie Singleton Initiative.

“If just one kid learns to swim, if one family doesn’t have to go through this — then my baby’s death wasn’t in vain,” Erica said, her voice trembling. “He would want that. He would want to help.”