John LeBARON

Died February 19 in Santa Rosa, Calif. John was a fourth-generation Sonoma County resident, born to C.A. "Art" and Annie Johnson LeBaron of Valley Ford. His paternal grandfather, Harrison Melvin LeBaron, came to Sonoma County from Eastern Canada in 1875 and his maternal grandparents; Thomas and Hannah Murray came to Bodega in the early 1850s, from England and Ireland, respectively. John grew up in Valley Ford, hiking the coastal hills and valleys, which would later become subjects for his work. He was a graduate of American Valley Grammar School, Tomales High School, Santa Rosa Junior College and, much later, earned his bachelor's degree from Sonoma State University. He was a prize-winning photojournalist who spent 20 years as a Press Democrat photographer, a photography teacher for 35 years in the art department at SRJC, and a fine arts photographer whose work was shown in galleries and exhibits throughout Northern California. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gaye LeBaron, Santa Rosa; his daughter, Suzanne LeBaron, Oakland; his son, Anthony LeBaron, Santa Rosa, and his grandson, Trenton LeBaron Potter, Oakland. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa. He served in the California National Guard. He was a past member of the National Press Photographers' Association, the Sonoma County Press Club and the Empire Runners. A Memorial Service will be held in early Spring, on a date to be announced, at Santa Rosa Junior College's Emeritus Hall. Memorial gifts in his honor may be made to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 522, MS#3R02, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-9964, or to the LeBaron Photography Scholarship Fund at Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation, 1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Daniels Chapel of the Roses 525-3730