Ames, Iowa, is standing still in grief this week. Ronin Eli Turnbull, a 14-year-old ninth grader at Ames High School, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, leaving behind a community struggling to make sense of a loss that came far too soon.
No cause of death has been made public. Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care in Ames is handling the arrangements, with a full obituary listed as forthcoming.
He was a wrestler, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, and a teammate. To those who knew him best, he was simply Ronin, a young man whose presence on and off the mat made every room feel a little warmer and every practice a little better.
Word spread quickly across the Ames High School campus and through the tight-knit sports circles where Ronin had built his name. The Ames High Wrestling program was among the first to speak publicly about what his passing meant to those around him.
In a tribute posted to social media, the program described bonds that go far beyond the mat, saying the impact Ronin made on the team and the wider community would never be forgotten.
Coaches and teammates honored him with the tribute tag #thebull, a nod to a young man whose last name carried a quiet strength he seemed to live up to every single day.
Two Sports Communities United in Grief
Away from the wrestling room, Ronin trained at Alliance Ames Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the local academy affiliated with Famousfive6 BJJ.
Vladimir Williams Sr., the academy owner and head instructor, spoke on behalf of his gym family in a tribute that painted a picture of a teenager as generous as he was talented.
Williams described Ronin as compassionate and gifted, pointing to the gentle energy he brought into the gym and the big heart that left a mark on everyone who trained alongside him. He extended prayers to Ronin’s family, friends, and classmates as they face the painful days ahead.
The response from both the wrestling and jiu-jitsu communities reflects just how deeply a 14-year-old had woven himself into the fabric of youth sports in central Iowa.
Teammates, coaches, and training partners from two different disciplines came forward within hours of the news breaking, each telling a version of the same story: Ronin Turnbull was someone special, and the space he occupied cannot simply be filled.
For those wishing to come together and celebrate his life, a public gathering has been scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026, from 4 to 6 in the afternoon at The Parlor Event Center, located just behind Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care at 119 Washington Avenue in Ames. All who knew Ronin or wish to pay their respects are welcome to attend.
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is located at 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, for those looking to send flowers or request further details on services.
Ronin Eli Turnbull was 14 years old.
