Antonio Barron Sr. was born on July 6, 1941, to Jose Barron and Ascension (Monjaraz) Barron. Due to poverty and his parent's being from Mexico, Antonio and his family were migrant field workers picking produce from Southern California all the way through to Northern California. Antonio also worked odd jobs such as; landscaping, construction, salvage, etc. to help the family.

Antonio's father, Jose, died when Antonio was still in high school. In order to help with the funeral expenses, he worked not only to help pay for his father's headstone, but also to help his family meet their daily needs. As a teenager, Antonio met the love of his life, and the woman he would eventually marry, Wanda Sue Williams (Barron).

At the age of 19, Antonio joined the US Air Force, where he served honorably for four years. While in the Air Force, he and Wanda married and had two sons: Antonio (Francisco) Barron and Mark Barron. After leaving the Air Force he and his wife had another son, Todd Barron. While poor, Antonio Barron worked all sorts of jobs to make ends meet, eventually becoming a heavy equipment operator for Owens Illinois.

When Owens closed their Corona location Antonio, at 32 yrs old, went back to school (while working as a school janitor) and received his teaching degree. He worked as a public-school teacher for two years. In 1981, he joined the California Department of Corrections (Chino Institute for Men-CIM) where he taught inmates; many of whom would eventually receive their GED's. He later became the acting Supervisor of Academic Instruction (SAI).

While performing the duties of an SAI, he was approached by the warden at CIM and was asked if he would be interested in becoming a Correctional Counselor, for which he accepted. Antonio promoted through the ranks and eventually became a captain at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. He retired from Chuckawalla in 2002, where he was appreciated and respected by inmates, management and line-staff alike.

Throughout his life, Antonio always placed his Catholic Faith and his family above all else. Family not only included his wife and children, but his mother. brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, and grandchildren. He not only provided financially, but he made time for them as well. He would attend his children's sporting events, take family members out for dinners, regale the family with his stories from his life, and counsel his children using his experience and wisdom.

Although the time with Antonio Barron Sr. seems short, he led a very full life dying at the age of 84 years old. Antonio Barron will gravely be missed by both family and friends.

Services will held at Frye Chapel in Blythe on Friday, July 10th, 2026 with Visitation from 5-8:00 p.m., and Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Mass will follow on Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.  Antonio will be laid to rest with his late wife, Wanda, at Riverside National Cemetery.