Ron Barry

James Ronald Barry, most commonly known as Ron, Ronnie, Unk, Bubba, Uncle Rory, and Coach, 73 of Colonial Heights, has gained his wings. Ron passed away peacefully in his home Saturday January 23, 2021 after a brief battle with respiratory illness. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia on June 23, 1947 to the late Harvey “Jiggs” and Edith Barry. He graduated from Colonial Heights High in 1966, where he played football. Until his retirement, he owned his own business as a manufacturer’s representative for the sale of high-end roofing products. For many years he coached the Colonial Heights recreational football team, the Raiders, and was a former board member of the Colonial Heights historical commission. Ron was a sports lover, history buff, collector, and traveler. He loved to play and watch golf and was a lifelong UVA and Redskins fan. He was everyone’s go-to person for sports trivia or history knowledge, gave wonderful advice, was the ultimate salesman, and never knew a stranger. He enjoyed entertaining and loved nothing more than a house full of friends and family. His greatest joy was his regular calls to friends and family and great conversations out by the pool. He will be missed by all those who knew him. He is survived by his Wife of 47 years, Marty Barry; his sister Gail Wilson and her husband Jim; his nephew Ronnie Wilson, his wife Crystal, their three children, Tristan, Sydney, and Logan, and his great-great niece, Freya; his nephew Todd Wilson and his two children Jake and Abbey; his niece Heather Willis Lewis, her husband Rob, and their three children, Noah, Vincent, and Waverly; his niece Lauren Willis-Moore and her husband David; his godson Chip Short, his wife Kristin, and their two children Mack and Niele; his goddaughter Jill Saxton, her husband Brian, and their two children Luke and Eric; and many other lifelong friends, relatives, and honorary nieces and nephews. His family wishes to extend their most humble admiration and appreciation to the nurses who took care of him in the Intensive Care Unit at Southside Regional Virginia Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia, especially Brooke, Chelsee, and Ashley, along with the staff and nursing team at Intrepid Hospice, especially Jamie, Ashley, and Stephany for their help and support. A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday January 30, 2021 at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, S. Prince George, VA 23805. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. To watch the service on livestream or to register condolences, please visit www.ealvinsmall.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ron’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital, Shriner’s Children’s hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, or any other charity.