Michael A. Barranco

Michael Barranco was first and foremost a man of God. Michael’s faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of his character, his marriage, his family and his work. He was a man who lived a life that may have seemed brief but it was by no means “unfishished.” He squeezed every moment of life out of every day. He never wasted any of his life. And he lived without regrets.

In Jackson and beyond, Michael will be remembered for many and varied passions and involvements. He was a 1980 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School – where many of his best loved memories were on the football field. He was a man committed to Scouting from his earliest days as a boy with his father, John S. Barranco of Jackson. Michael achieved his Eagle Scout Award and was a member of the Order of the Arrow and was currently serving on the advisory Board of the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In recent years Michael continued his love for scouting by founding the Boy Scout troup at Redeemer Church in North Jackson, where he and his family also worshipped.

Michael was perhaps most remembered in Mississippi for his skills as an artist which manifested themselves in his work as an architect and as a musician. Michael graduated from Mississippi State University in 1985 with a BA in Architecture and has been one of the most influential architects in the state of Mississippi in recent years. He was the past president of the Mississippi chapter of the American Institute of Architects and was currently serving as the president of the Mississippi State Board of Architecture. Michael was the formulator of the idea of a Mississippi Charrette which, with the help of many colleagures, resulted in the Mississippi Renewal Forum which led to a remarkable collaborative endeavor in response to the devastating hurricane Katrina of 2005.

Additionally, Michael loved music. In fact he and his wife of 24 years, Jene’ Ray Barranco met at Poet’s in 1986 where Michael performed regularly with the Andy Hardwick Trio. Though he probably more well known for his work with the Bluz Boys and more recently with the Barranco Brothers.

Michael, a native of Jackson, is survived by his wife, Jene Ray Barranco and their three children, Mia (18), Julia (14) and Michael Anthony, Jr. (12). He is also survived by his parents, John S. Barranco, Sr. and Camille Griffith Barranco of Jackson; brother, John S. Barranco, Jr. of Nasville; sister, Pam Barranco Jew and Sam Jew of Jackson; brother, Vincent Barranco of Nashville; and sister, Lesa Barranco Nuzzo and Al Nuzzo of Jackson. He is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5-8 pm, Friday February 25, 2011 and 1pm Saturday at the Belhaven Center for the Arts on Riverside Drive in Jackson. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday February 26 2011, at the Belhaven Center for the Arts. A private burial service will follow for family. Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland is assisting with the arrangements.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, will be used to set up the Michael Barranco Boy Scout Fund and Redeemer Church where Michael established a troop as a ministry outreach to the underprivileged boys in the local community. To donate contact Scott Marshall at 601-714-1668 [email protected].