James A. Barron Jr.

James A. "Jim" Barron, Jr., age 84, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away at home with his family by his side, after a nobly fought battle with cancer on Friday, February 11, 2011. He was born in 1926 in Richmond, Virginia, the first son of James Albert and Ellen Louise Williams Barron. He is survived by his truly beloved wife and soul mate of 63 years, Cornelia Kathleen "Kitty" Barron and their children, Margaret E. Burd of Dublin, Ohio, James A. Barron, III of Cary, North Carolina and Gerald L. Barron of Dublin. He leaves two much loved brothers, Robert G. with his wife, Frances Barron of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia and Karl W. Barron of Jacksonville, Florida. He is also survived by five beloved grandsons, Timothy Barron of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Patrick Barron of Apex, North Carolina, Brandon Burd (and wife Stacia) of Syracuse, New York, Christopher Burd, of Dublin, Ohio and Gerald Scott Barron of Charleston, West Virginia. Jim graduated from John Marshall High School in Richmond, VA in 1943 where he was Captain of the Band and in the ROTC Military Cadet Regiment. He volunteered and was accepted by the U.S. Navy ROTC in January, 1944 and assigned to the naval facility at the University of Richmond for indoctrination and training. He transferred to Duke University to complete the ROTC training. Jim left the University for sea duty in 1945 because as he said, he was afraid he would "miss the War." Jim spent some of his time in the Navy as a frogman in the program which was the precursor to the Navy Seals. Jim was awarded an Honorary Degree of Letters from his Alma Mater at the UNV of Richmond during commencement there in May of 2003. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in late 1946 as a Petty Officer, First Class, returning home and going to work for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Jim started with the C&O as an electrical draftsman and became officially classified Electrical Engineer in 1959. In 1962 he was transferred to Huntington, WV where he held a number of positions. Jim counted among his achievements as being the manager of the team responsible for the "Chessie Steam Special" which made excursions from 1977 through 1981. Jim's favorite assignment had to be commanding the operations of the train that transported President Reagan on his whistle stop campaign through the country in 1984. Jim retired from the Chessie System (CSX) in 1986 after 43 years of distinguished service. Jim and his wife moved to Dublin, Ohio in 1987 where they built a new life and he enjoyed being involved in civic and political affairs and golf. Jim was a man for all seasons and taught himself to do so many things. Jim had a passion for learning and he loved to share it especially with his dear grandsons. He cherished spending quality time with both family and friends in his home. As a quietly spiritual man, Jim was a long standing Episcopalian, serving on the Vestry and holding both Junior and Senior Warden positions. A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2011 at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, Ohio 43065, (614)-792-1471, where family will receive friends one hour before the service beginning at 1 p.m. (The funeral home is located on W. Olentangy St./Powell Rd./SR 750 1/4 mile east of Sawmill Parkway.) If they choose, friends are asked to consider memorial contributions to: Mount Carmel Hospice, 1144 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Send condolences for the family to: www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.