Biography: Ronald Lee Barnes (known to many as Curly) was born on July 8th 1957 to Fritz and Alma Thomas. Ronald attended Woodrow Wilson High School however completed the remainder of his education at Job Corps. Ronald then went on to serve in two branches of the military consecutively. First enrolling in the US Army and then the US Navy where he received an honorary discharge from both branches subsequently.
Later, Ronald went on to work for the United States Postal Service retiring after 25 years. This in turn is where he met the love of his life Duline (Dee) McCoy. Ronald loved basketball, watching it, playing it, and was always ready for a game. This in fact is how he earned his nickname “Curly” after Curly Neal, a member of the Harlem Globe Trotters basketball team.
Ronald loved getting together with friends and family, you knew it was going down when Ronald showed up, because he would get the fish fryer going, he was the “Official” fish fryer of every event.
Anyone who knew Ron knew that he was a man of few words however, once Ronald had something to say, you knew it was going to be direct, to the point,maybe a little harsh, but ALWAYS meant with love, and something that was necessary….or not.
Ronald departed this life on July 18th 2021 at home. He leaves to mourn two sons: Ronald Barnes Jr. (Mookie) and Phillip McCoy-Campbell. Stepchildren: Kareem, Sydney and Natasha Campbell. Daughter-in-law Eva Campbell. Grandchildren Kareem Jr., Syre, Sydnee, Eva, Leilani and Madison. Mother-in-law: Fannie-Mae. Brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Deir, Delbert and Dominica McCoy. His sisters (who preceded him in death) Carol, and Marie (Tonette). His surviving siblings: Sandra, Karen, Roseann (Eddie), Michelle, Fritz (Jr), Tracey (Dwayne), Allison and Tyrone (Tatita). Aunts: Jerry-Lee Ford, and Sheila Fines. A vast host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and a myriad of life-long friends.
His presence will be sadly missed by all.