Otha Ernest Barron

Otha Ernest (Duke/Sughs) Barron, on July 13, 2009 at 2:00 a.m., at the VA Medical Center-Hospice Unit, in Biloxi, Mississippi, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and dear friend passed from this life to eternal life. While we all will miss him dearly, we celebrate his passing to a life where he will no longer experience suffering and pain and where we all hope to be with him again someday. Otha was born in Shreveport, LA on April 13, 1920 and lived in Alexandria, LA until he was 20 years old. He attended LSU in Baton Rouge, LA from 1936-1940. He was in the LSU marching band for 4 years and graduated in Electrical Engineering in 1940. He served his country in World War II as an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. In 1942-1943, he was stationed in England as part of the Electronics Training Group helping in the deployment, the then top secret RADAR network. He was in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until his honorable discharge in May 1951. For most of his professional career, he was an independent manufacturer's representative. He lived in New Orleans for many years, moving to Mississippi in the early 70's. Otha was preceded in death by his parents, Otha E. Barron and Sally E. Rice, his brother, Ronald L. Barron, his first wife, Yvette Jubin Barron, and his second wife, Vivian Laporte Barron. He is survived by his loving and devoted companion, Mena Koch, his children, Joan and Bill Bailey, Liz Fujiwara, Steve and Vali Barron, Paul and Sherry Barron, Patricia Wallner, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, his niece Jean Griffies and many other nieces, nephews and friends. We would like to thank all of our family and friends for their love, support and prayers. We would also like to give a special thanks to everyone at the VA Hospice, for their tender, loving care and support of Otha during his final days. In lieu of flowers, family would like donations to: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Building Fund, 610 Water St., Biloxi, MS 39530. Service will be Monday, July 20, 2009, 11:30 a.m. at 675 Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi where friends may visit from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Interment and Committal Service: Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com