Ronald Barnard

Ronald Barnard, age 79, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Barnard and Ruth Olsker. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Lance (Katie); and granddaughter, Stella.

Ron entered the Army at 17 and spent almost 2 years in Vietnam. During his service, he earned the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal, and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle M-1) among others.

After his military service, Ron worked in the construction business, which allowed him to travel extensively. 

Ron met the love of his life, Karen, in Fairbanks, Alaska. They married in 1986 and were married for 38 years. They moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1997. For more than 20 years, Ron owned a productive construction business.

Ron lived his life to the fullest. He raced cars and jeeps, jumped out of airplanes, scuba dove, snow skied, water skied, and hunted and fished whenever possible. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, which he loved and served in many capacities. He was always a willing volunteer and took care of countless maintenance projects throughout the years. Ron was also a faithful member of the Rotary Club of Gulfport.

Ron’s greatest joys were being married to his queen, Karen, and being a father to Lance and a grandfather to Stella.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport. Friends visited beginning at 10 a.m. Interment was October 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Army. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Barnard family.