Obituary of Gordon Barron

Gordon Barron, age 90, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away at home on December 17, 2013. He was born on October 5, 1923 in Dupree, South Dakota to John and Priscilla (Henderson) Barron. He and his family left South Dakota during the Dust Bowl for Corvallis, Oregon. He often re-read Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" because he said he'd lived it, and wanted to remember.At Corvallis High School (class of '41) he was active in theater, track and student government, and was voted "Most Popular" as a senior.Gordon served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific from June 1943 to January 1946. He married Alice Deloris Franklin in Corvallis, Oregon on September 14, 1947.He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from OSU and also attended the U of O. However, he remained a staunch Beaver football fan, wearing an orange shirt after victories, and black after losses. He was a school teacher and administrator from 1949 to 1983 in the Eugene 4J School District. He received the Citation of Appreciation from the Board of Directors of 4J, and was a loved and respected teacher who stayed in contact with many students and co-workers all his life. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Foresters, serving a term as Chief Ranger.He was active in the South Eugene High School summer plays and musicals in the 60's and 70's. He and his wife were active in square dancing for 38 years, many of those years as a square dance caller. He was a member of the Memory Tones singing group for 12 years, serving a term as president.He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice, three sons, Steven J. Barron (Doris) of Eugene, OR, Gary G. Barron (Patti) of San Diego, CA, and Roger K. Barron of San Diego, CA, three daughters, Mary A. Barron of Bend, OR, Teresa L. Duncan of Ontario, OR and Kathryn J. Hubbard (Thomas) of Phoenix, AZ, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Priscilla Hand of Sebastopol, CA. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.The family wishes to extend grateful thank-yous to the wonderful people at Sacred Heart Hospice, and New Horizons In-Home Healthcare. You are so appreciated.A graveside service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on Monday, December 23 at 12:30 PM. Memorial Contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com.