March 3, 1923 – July 13, 2010
Lawrence Joseph Barron, 87, a former resident of Ottawa and Sterling, IL, died
Tuesday July 13, 2010 at Brookside Hospice in Palm Harbor, FL. Funeral
Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Light of Christ Catholic Church in Clearwater, Florida. The burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 9:00 am, Saturday, July 24th at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur William and Elizabeth Catherine (Pleskovitch). Preceded in death In-Laws, Daniel Riordan, Jack Conrad, James Bretag, James Schott, Lenard Pandolfi, Gertrude Barron, Richard Turner, Richard Miller, June Barron. Mother and Father In-Law, Henry H. and Lucille Bretag.
He is survived by his wife, Doris (Bretag) and their 9 children, DeeAnn
(Paul) Morehead, Larry, Elizabeth Harris, Lee, Melanie (Rick) Johnson,
Lane, Lance, Kara (Bob) Turner, and Len (Dawn); 16 grandchildren, Derrick Hudson, Robert Vesco, Marena Barron, Chris Rankin, Robert (Elizabeth) Harris, Bryan (Diane) Harris, Nathan (Carrie) Johnson, Melissa (Bob A.) Johnson, Amanda & Nicholas Barron, Sasha Eng, Nicholas & Matthew Turner, Bailey Cooper, Logan & Brittany Barron,
11 great grandchildren, Amber & DJ Hudson, Chloe Rankin, Chelsea & Kalyn Harris, Gage & Lauren Harris, Trevor Johnson, Kai Johnson-Alcover, Evan Johnson, Austin Barron and 1 great, great grandchild, Zach Hudson.
He is survived by 9 siblings; 3 brothers and 6 sisters: Art (Mary),
Lorraine (Bill) Barber, Paul, Shirley Miller, Adele Schott, Ruth Turner,
Donna, John (Char), Zeta Conrad. He was preceded in death by his son Linus, grandson David Hudson and brother Francis R.
Larry “Butch” Barron was the third of eleven children. He was an artist, entrepreneur and adventurer at heart. At the young age of 16, while his parents were out of town, he hopped a freight train and went out west. He always had this longing for the mountains and for wide open spaces, and in 1950 he moved his young family out to Wyoming.
Butch successfully completed 3 ½ years at Ottawa High School but quit to join the Army as America went to war in WWII. His date of entry into active duty was January 27, 1943, and he served 2 consecutive years in many well known and tough battles in the South Pacific. Butch became a highly decorated WWII veteran, as he served in Hawaii, Australia, Goodenough Island, Dutch New Guinea, Biak Island, and Philippines. As a platoon guide, he assisted the platoon sergeant in supervising 42 men, and was in charge of 14 men on day patrols. He made initial amphibious assaults on Leyte, Corregidor, and Luzon and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star with clusters, Bronze Arrowhead, Purple Heart, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was awarded the Silver Star for the battle of Breakneck Ridge and was promoted from Private 1st Class to Staff Sergeant. His great sense of humor and tenacity brought him through many difficult and stressful times during the war, and throughout his life. These are the character strengths that most people will remember him for; his humor and his ability to persevere through the difficulties of life. His date of separation from the army was on September 22, 1945, at Percy Jones Hospital Center, Fort Custer, Michigan.
He returned home to Ottawa, IL, where he met the love of his life Doris Bretag on September 25, 1945 at the Flamingo Lounge. They were married on June 21, 1947. They moved to Chicago, IL where Butch attended the Art Institute of Chicago. He received his BAE from the Chicago Art Institute in1949 and became an art teacher.
Butch was an Art Teacher for the public and parochial school systems as well as adult education programs in Wyoming, Illinois, and Florida. He also ran the art programs during the summer months for Sterling (IL) Parks & Recreation. He was named “Teacher of the Year” at Tyrone Middle School in St. Petersburg, FL and served as president of the Pinellas County Art Teachers Association and was editor of the Florida Art Teacher’s Association publication. He retired from the education system after 36 years of dedicated service in 1986.
He established the Graphic Arts Studio in St. Petersburg, FL in 1972 shortly after moving there from Sterling IL in 1971. He provided graphic art services and printing to small businesses. Butch continued his work in the printing business until he suffered a debilitating stroke in 1998 which paralyzed his right side and left him unable to walk and speak. Although he only had limited use of his left hand, he created many works of art which depicted people and beautiful mountain scenes and was still able to play his favorite card game Hand & Foot.
His passion was his family and his faith. His devotions inspired him to create many works of religious art. Larry was a lector in the church and invited many of clergy into his home to expose them to family life.
Being the father of nine children took much of his time, encouraging them to be creative and free thinking and to express themselves through their art. His eldest son, Larry, also followed in his footsteps and attended the Art Institute in Chicago. Butch created a very unique artbook that inspired children to express their individuality and could never be confused with a coloring book as he absolutely didn’t believe in coloring within the lines.
He was an inventor and validated the saying that “necessity is the mother of invention” as he invented the “dirty diaper” cleaning machine that helped facilitate the cleaning of cloth diapers…..and with 3 in diapers it was a necessity!!
Dad’s favorite things:
His wife of 63 years, faith, his children, creating art; painting, drawing, pottery, Manhattans (the cocktail not the city....true Irishman at heart), grand-babies, great-grandbabies, popcorn at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, cowboy movies, Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, fishing, camping, V-neck white T-shirts, the word “shit”, being the center of attention, kidding around, joking with strangers (which embarrassed his family), eggs and bacon, hated onions and anything green (especially broccoli)!
For years he wanted to talk and tell stories, now he can tell them all and he is busy painting his new world!
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name will be gratefully accepted by the family.
Arrangements under the direction of Moss Feaster Funeral Home, Clearwater, FL.
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