1951-2026
Joseph Ronnie Barsh was born on May 10, 1951, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to William Wiley Barsh and Mae Fern Harris Barsh. Ronnie was nurtured by a strong family foundation that included his grandmother, Leo Weston; great-grandmother, Josie Hill; and great-aunt, Robert Hill.
At an early age, Ronnie committed his life to Christ at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, where he was active in Sunday School, the Young People’s Department, Vacation Bible School, and the A.C.E. Fellowship. He also excelled in the Boy Scouts under the leadership of Brother Paul Ireland, earning the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout.
Ronnie attended St. Peter’s Catholic School before graduating from Southeast High School in 1969, where he was an outstanding student-athlete and affectionately known as “Duke.” He later attended AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), pursuing a degree in Business Administration. While working nights at Simmons Bank, he discovered his passion for computers, which led to a distinguished career of more than 40 years in information technology with the Food and Drug Administration’s National Center for Toxicological Research.
Ronnie enjoyed working with his hands, especially tinkering with automobiles alongside his close friend and “special brother,” James Womack. He was an avid reader, loved cooking, and had a lifelong passion for sports, serving as a referee for local schools. He also gave back to his community through his involvement with the Mountain Valley King Cotton Holiday Classic, serving as Tournament Chairman and in leadership roles on the board.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his paternal grandmother, Viola Shack; and his mother-in-law, Evelyn Ross.
Cherishing his memory with love are his devoted wife, Vicky Lynn Ross Barsh; sister-in-law, Kim Ross Jimmerson of Midlothian, TX; brother-in-law, Richard Jimmerson of Cedar Hill, TX; nieces, Terrah Jimmerson of Pine Bluff, AR, Kristal Jimmerson of Lithonia, GA, and Bianca (David) Jimmerson Moser of Cleburne, TX; great-nephews, Joshua Jones and Landon Moser; great-niece, Gracelynn Moser; uncles, Thomas (Beverly) Barsh of St. Louis, MO, and James (Weatau) Barsh of Chicago, IL; aunt, Josephine Cobbs of Omaha, NE; godmother, Anna Graham of Magnolia, AR; special nephew, Darron Wright; special niece, Darayh Wright, and a host of beloved cousins.
Funeral Service will be held 2:30pm, Saturday, April 11,2026, at Allen Temple A.M.E Church, Pine Bluff, AR by Rev. Daniel W. Johnson. Interment in Cypress Memorial Gardens Pine Bluff, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, AR. His body will lie in-state from 1:45pm until service time.
Obituary submitted by The Family.
