BARRON

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 05:21:31 :

Marin Independent Journal
Saturday, August 22, 1987

JOHNNY BARRON

A Mass of Christian Burial for John C. “Johnny” Barron of San Rafael, a longtime resident of St. Vincent’s School for Boys in Marinwood, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Vincent’s School Chapel.

Mr. Barron, who was 80, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 1987, at the Rafael Convalescent Hospital in San Rafael.

Mr. Barron was a native of San Francisco. As a boy, he spent most of his life in institutions for homeless ch ildren.

On March 20, 1920, at age 13, Mr. Barron took a ferryboat to Sausalito and boarded a train for St. Vincent’s, where he stayed for more than 59 years. He lived most of that time in his own room in the old school building, which had been converted into living quarters for staff.

For many years, Mr. Barron was responsible for the school’s chicken farm, where he tended to 1,500 chickens and 500 turkeys. After the farm closed he went to work in the kitchen and id other odd jobs.

In later years, he walked each day from St. Vincent’s to the Northgate shopping center. He would also drink a cup of tea with the students each night before bed.

He moved to Rose’s rest home in 1980 and remained there until two years ago when failing health forced him into residence at the Rafael Convalescent Home.

Mr. Barron will be buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in San Rafael.

It is requested that memorial contributions in Mr. Barron’s name be sent to St. Vincent’s School, P.O. Box M, Civic Center, San Rafael 94903.