Ronald E. (Ron) Barber passed peacefully at home from this earthly life on August 24, 2022. Born December 5, 1937, on the Upper Twin Creek, Ross County to John William & Mary Dell (Whitley) Barber.
He was a graduate of Buckskin High School, class of 1956.
On August 10, 1958, he was married to his life partner, Georgia Ann (Shady) Barber. He is survived by his wife, three sons & one daughter, John (Kim) of Peebles, Bob (Christina) of Cape Coral, FL, Thomas of Leesburg & Rhonda Barber Campbell of Cincinnati. He leaves behind thirteen grandchildren: Jessica (Matt) Barber Houser, Anastasia Barber & A. J. Barber of Peyton, CO, Nigel (Heather) Barber of New Vienna, Curtis (Kelly) Barber & Landers (Amanda) Barber of Decatur, IN, Melissa (Ethan) Barber Strobel of Washington CH, Steven (Lizz) Barber of Greenfield, Braille Marie Barber of Cape Coral, FL, Elisabeth Campbell, Cincinnati, Charly (Josh) Campbell Brown, Batavia, Chelsea Campbell, Hillsboro & Garry (Morgan) Campbell, Jr., Lexington, NC. He was the proud great grandfather to 21 great grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Archie (Barbara) Barber of Greenfield and two sisters, Kathleen Barber Gillfillan of Chillicothe, Linda (Marlin) Barber Long of Frankfort, daughter-in-law, Susan Davis Barber, Leesburg, sister-in-law, Margaret Shady of Wichita, KS, brother-in-law, Maurice (Maxine) Shady, Fountain, NC, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a neighbor (like a son) Chad Richmond & family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, David, sister, Betty & her husband, Roger Graves, sister-in-law, Bonnie Barber, brothers-in-law, Jim Shady and Thomas Gillfillan, father and mother-in-law, James & Florence Shady & son-in-law, Garry Campbell.
From 1955 through 1962, Ron served in the Ohio Army National Guard. Soon after his marriage to Georgia, they moved to Leesburg where he was employed at the local newspaper "The Leesburg Citizen." Ron was very fond of the Leesburg area & "The Friendly Village." In the mid to late 60s, he was active with the Cub Scouts & served as Cubmaster. In the early 70s he was a neighborhood commissioner for the Boy Scouts. Mid 1970s Ron assisted with two Highland County 4H Clubs, a Tractor Club, teaching safety & skill, and a Garden Club, sharing his knowledge of the care of a veggie garden. He was active in the Little League summer baseball & softball programs, serving 16 summers in various capacities. In 1973, he became a member of the Leesburg Friends Church. In 1976 he was one of the founding members of the Leesburg Area Life Squad, serving as a volunteer EMT until 1993, In 1988 he became a member of the Leesburg Lions Club, taking an active role in local, district and state leadership positions. After retirement in 2000 from 30+ years of the Curless Printing Company, he volunteered for several years in the "Ohio Reads" program at the Fairfield Elementary. He is remembered by many as "Grandpa Ron" at Kamp Dovetail where he volunteered since the year 2000 as support staff. In addition, he served many years as Southwest Ohio Lions district liaison to Kamp Dovetail. At the time of his passing at age 84, Ron was still actively giving his time and efforts to his passions, the Lions Club and Kamp Dovetail.
The Thompson Funeral Home is serving the family, Ron has chosen cremation of his earthly body. To sign our online guestbook, please visit us at
www.thompsonfuneralhomes
.
A Celebration of Life will take place at the Leesburg Fire House on Saturday afternoon September 3rd from 1 to 4. (Memorial Service at 1:30)
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations requested t Kamp Dovetail, 5350 New Market Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133 or Adena Hospice, 2077 Western Ave, Chillicothe, OH 45601