Ronald Bara

Ronald (Ron) B. Bara passed away on July 2, 2025, in Little Rock, AR, at the age of 83. Ron was born on June 15, 1942, in the Bronx, New York. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Irene Bara, late wife, Harriett Bara, and son, Geoffrey Bara.  

He is survived by his wife, Karin; two children, Nikki Joyce (George) of New Jersey, Jonathan Bara (Amy) of California, grandchildren Chassity and Casey Joyce of New Jersey, Lilly and Gavin Bara of Colorado; great-grandchildren Kaylee and Mia of New Jersey. He was beloved "Grandpa Ron" to Finn and Eleanor Morrison of Minnesota. While not a direct family member, Ron was a good friend and mentor to Karin's children, Daniel Morrison (Dana) of Minnesota and Dustin Morrison of Texas.

Ron was a lifelong civil rights activist. In California, Ron served on the City of Agoura Hills Crisis Response Team and chaired the Public Works and General Planning Committees. He was an Advocate for the Learning Disability Association of Southern California and served as a Debriefing Crisis volunteer to First Responders. He was committed to the Civil Rights movement and was a Freedom Rider. Ron was a member of the International Olympic Committee. He was committed to equality for all. 

Ron had several careers and each one involved service. As a young man, he was a road manager for The Temptations and for Joey Heatherton. He later went back to school and earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Upon graduation, he worked with mentally ill patients in clinical settings, and later went into private practice. He worked as a CNA and provided private care for hospice patients. Before moving to Little Rock, Ron worked in customer service for a medical equipment company.

After moving to Little Rock in 2007, Ron served as an AmeriCorps Vista with Our House and with Harmony Health Clinic. He worked with the Arkansas Homeless Coalition, Jericho Way, and Canvas Community. His work helped coordinate services for homeless individuals in Little Rock and the Central Arkansas area. He served on the Age Friendly, and Parks Commissions for the City of Little Rock. He also volunteered with Rock Region Transit and Interfaith Outreach Community Group and served on the UAMS Health Disparities Community Advisory Board Steering Committee. He was the founder of the 10/20 Project in Little Rock, a small nonprofit that existed to help those in need. He always said, "Anyone can do something for someone else with $10 and 20 minutes." In 2020, during the pandemic, Ron volunteered and trained to be a Crisis Specialist with the Arkansas Crisis Center Help Line.

Ron had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He loved it when his daughter, Nikki, came to visit. He was very proud of his son Jon for the challenges he has dealt with and overcome and the person he has become. He and Geoffrey, of blessed memory, had many long and colorful debates. Little Rock was home to him for the past 18 years, and he left behind many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 7th at 11:00 am at Temple B'Nai Israel in Little Rock.

The interment funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 10th at 11:00 am at Mount Sinai Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles, California.

Memorial contributions can be made to Canvas Community Church Homeless Ministries, PO Box 1824  Little Rock, Arkansas 72203.