Michael O’Neill Barron
89, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, passed away peacefully December 28, 2025, after a brief illness. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Mike was born in St. Louis on January 30, 1936, to John Barron and Bonnie O’Neill Barron. He attended St. Louis University High School, where he was a member of the rifle team. After graduation, he attended the University of Notre Dame for one year then joined the Society of Jesus. He received his bachelor’s degree in classics from Saint Louis University. Mike left the Jesuits in 1961 and attended the University of Michigan Law School, graduating in 1964.
Over more than 60 years practicing law, Mike focused on a variety of legal issues. He first worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan. He also worked in private practice handling criminal and civil defense in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After returning to St. Louis, Mike worked for several law firms and developed a specialty in law related to the petroleum industry. Years later, he earned a master of law degree in tax law from Washington University in St. Louis and aided clients on elder law issues.
Target shooting was a passion of Mike’s, and he competed in the sport for decades. In 2001, he won the Wimbledon Cup at the National Rifle and Pistol Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. The cup is considered the premier award in the United States for long range rifle shooting. He was also an 18-time Missouri State Rifle champion and a member of 14 winning championship rifle teams. Mike was a volunteer coach for the St. Louis University High School rifle team from 1997 to 2025 and traveled to matches with the team until the summer before his death.
Mike was an avid tennis player and enjoyed competing in senior tournaments across the country and in Europe. He had a life-long love of airplanes and learned to fly, earning his pilot’s license in the 1970s. He enjoyed flying to pursue his hobbies and visit family. He was also a baseball and college football fan, cheering on Notre Dame, the University of Michigan and the St. Louis Cardinals.
At family gatherings, Mike would often pull out his guitar, playing folk songs by John Denver, Judy Collins or the Kingston Trio. Later in life, he studied classical guitar and became involved with the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society. He and his wife, Sharon Ann Barron, served as the organization’s treasurers for many years and enjoyed hosting guitarists in their home.
Mike is survived by Sharon Ann, his wife of 47 years; Michael Barron (Elizabeth), Christina Barron Rogers (Edward), and Stephen Barron, his children with former wife Thea Rossi Barron; grandchildren John Barron (Bhavana), Thomas Barron, Julia Rogers, Joseph Barron, Caroline Rogers, Caroline Barron, Andrew Rogers, Katherine Barron; and great grandson Jay Barron. He is also survived by sister Joel Hall, half brother John Barron (Jamie), sister-in-law Wendy Slaughter (David), brother-in-law Rick Zantello (Dotty) along with many nieces and nephews. Sister Bonnie Bale passed away in February 2026.
Services: Visitation and a funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 28, at St. Anselm Abbey Catholic Church, 530 South Mason Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Mass will be at 11 a.m. followed by a reception. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Louis University High School or the American Heart Association.
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