On August 10, 2024, John Anthony Barron, 91, navigated his final earthly flight, surrounded by offspring and friends, at his home in Rancho Bernardo, California. John was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 9, 1932. His family relocated to Morristown, New Jersey, where he attended the esteemed Bayley Ellard Catholic High School, in nearby Madison. John loved all sports from childhood, but it was here that he honed his love of basketball and played on the Bayley Ellard team, the Bishops. Here, too, he became an Eagle Scout, accomplishment that gave him great pride.

A year after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force. His superiors recognized his leadership abilities and he was quickly commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and began training as a f light navigator. He served twenty years. During his service, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire and his Master of Industrial Management at the University of North Dakota.

Shortly after being commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, he met Margaret McCarthy, aka Bunny, at a USO mixer at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, where he had recently been assigned. The night proved pivotal in both John and Bunny's lives and they were married a year later. They became the consummate military couple, moving their growing family to varied assignments over the next nineteen years. John served in Vietnam in 1970, and had one last assignment in Fayetteville, North Carolina afterward. He became a stock broker, a second career in which he flourished until his retirement. However, when John would tell career tales, it was always in regard to his service in the Air Force. He was a proud veteran.

John's love of basketball was second only to golf. He loved playing the game and did so as often as he could, scoring several holes in one during his long tenure as a participant. He was happiest on the links.

His children will remember him taking over breakfast duties from our mother on weekends and making exquisite pancakes, instructing us in bicycle riding down steep driveways, snowball fights in the dark and snowy North Dakota winter and extolling the virtues of Neapolitan ice cream for dessert. His litany of friends will recall his mesmerizing knowledge of sports, the coffee chats at the library in the community center, the Bridge games and his 'open door' policy. Literally, John's door was always open and friends popped in often.

He is predeceased by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Margaret 'Bunny' Barron (2018), his treasured grandson, Christopher Walling (2013), who was one of his best buddies; and his sister, Jane (Sonny) Melo (2021). He is survived by his six children, Pamela (Richard) Colbert, Jani (Sue Ellen Scott) Barron, John Patrick Barron, Laura (Kenneth Cook) Barron, Mary (Michael) Szuch and Elizabeth (Steven Wimmers) Barron. Five grandchildren persist: Brett Wimmers, Rosa (Zack Mills) Leonardo, who remembers dancing with Grandpa while standing on his feet, as he whirled her around the living room; Kurt Wimmers, Mary Anne Szuch, who fondly recalls Gramps' support in all her endeavors and his superior skill at telling jokes, often at his own expense; and Michael Szuch, who is grateful for Gramps' perpetual positivity as a role model while he was growing up and his guidance as he was working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Additionally, there are eight great-grandchildren: Cohen Warren, Max Warren, Kayden Wimmers, Frederick Walling, Olivia Walling, Leonardo Warren, Finnley Warren and Cecilia Wimmers. He is also survived by two amazing nephews, who live in San Diego, Michael (Luis Corona) Barron and Joey Barron. These three gentlemen spent time with their Uncle on holidays and visited him often. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph (Judi) Barron and sister, Janet (Keith) Triggs and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a long-time parishioner at San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo. The Parish has many community programs. If you'd like to make a donation in his honor, their website is sanrafaelparish.org . Once on the website, click the Giving tab.