Ronald Foster Barkley

ELIZABETHTOWN — Ronald Foster Barkley, 56, of Court Street, passed away Monday night, July 24, 2006, as a result of severe head injuries he received during a single car accident in Keene, N.Y.

Ronald was born in Newburgh, N.Y., on Dec. 28, 1949, the son of Mildred M. (Terbush) Barkley of Elizabethtown and the late Lt. Col. Donald S. Barkley, retired, USAF. He was educated at various schools around the United States and last attended Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Md.

Ronald was a musician (guitarist and vocalist) who played throughout the United States with numerous bands and more recently at many hotels, restaurants and private parties in the Adirondacks since relocating to the region from Naples, Fla., in 1999. He also worked periodically as a chef in Essex and Lake Placid and most recently was employed at the Deers Head Inn, Elizabethtown, at the time of his passing. He had also worked for several years for Today's News Distribution, Inc., Cadyville, N.Y., as a delivery driver until two weeks before his death. He enjoyed composing music and writing short stories and created hand-made leather goods. Ronald loved animals as well as the natural beauty of the Adirondacks and hiked and fished frequently throughout the region.

He is survived by his children, Ethan R. Barkley and Jenna M. Barkley of Fort Myers, Fla., and Devon J. Barkley of Long Island, N.Y. He is also survived by his sisters, Judith A. Martin of Elizabethtown and Sarah Littlefeather of West Danville, Vt.; and his brothers, Don G. Barkley of Naples, Fla., and Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., his twin brother, of Mount Pleasant, S.C.

There are no calling hours. Funeral services will be private at his family's convenience at W.M. Marvins Sons Funeral Home of Elizabethtown, officiated by the Rev. Fred Shaw of the United Church of Christ Congregational Church of Elizabethtown.

Donations in Ronald's name can be made to the Keene, N.Y., volunteer emergency rescue squad or to the animal shelter in Westport, N.Y.