Congratulations to Mr. Ronald (Ronnie) Barnes, named this year's BISD Wall of Fame recipient for Brazosport High School, class of 1975.
Mr. Barnes grew up on the Eastside of Freeport, attending schools in Brazosport ISD. BISD teachers and school administrators were strong influences in Ronnie’s life. From humble beginnings, Ronnie Barnes fought through and overcame numerous obstacles that would have been overwhelming to others. Always standing for right and then doing the right thing, Ronnie made the most of his high school career at Brazosport High School. Forever proud of his school and, his hometown, Barnes is quick to say that he is Forever an Exporter.
Always open to coaching and mentoring, Ronald sought role models in those individuals who saw the potential in him, from his high school principal, the late Mr. Jim Phillips, to his high school football coach, the late Mr. Joe Means, he always knew that he was bound to be a good role model for other young men.
As Barnes finished high school, he represented Brazosport High School in the 1975 Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star game and the Shriner’s Oil Bowl All-Star game. Always recognizing the importance of his East End roots, Ronnie would honor his hometown by saying, “I’m from a little town called Freeport, Texas.”
As a coveted blue-chip recruit, Barnes took his love of football to Baylor University, where he was again a standout on the football field and in the classroom. His coach, the renowned Grant Teaff, would continually look to Ronnie to lead his team and school. Teaff knew Ron would model integrity with the perseverance to stand for what was right and true. Again, Ronald Barnes’ character was a testament to the education and mentoring he received in his schools in BISD.
Ronnie lettered in football and graduated from Baylor with a degree in math. He then was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, but he longed to return home, to the Brazosport area, to teach, coach, and raise his family. Barnes’ first job in BISD was teaching and coaching at Freeport Intermediate School, a school he once attended, working with educators who once taught and coached him. From his coaching days on the football field and the basketball court, many of his former players still recall, “Coach Barnes cared about me, and I would always strive to do my best for him and my team.”
From Freeport Intermediate School, Ronnie returned to Brazosport High School where he taught and coached. He then became an assistant principal at Brazoswood High School before returning to Brazosport as the Principal and head Exporter. As the first African-American principal at his beloved alma mater, Ron sought to ensure that his daily tasks and duties always focused on what was best for the students. His mantra to the staff and teachers is “always do what is best for the student.” Though a strict disciplinarian, Barnes had a humorous side, and some of his students even created a Facebook page to honor his unique manner of signing off after delivering the daily school announcements.
Mr. Ronald Barnes retired from Brazosport ISD as a district administrator after 41 years of service to the schools and district that he loved. But this did not mean that Ronnie left his roots - his true calling. Barnes can still be found volunteering and mentoring students within the district, and he spends quite a bit of time tutoring students at Brazosport High School.
Ronald Barnes has always cared about his community, having served on the Board of Planning and Zoning for the City of Lake Jackson. He has made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate as a Board Member of the Salvation Army. Additionally, he has served as a deacon at the New Hope Baptist Church in Clute, all while being an outstanding male role model for his grandsons.
Ronald Barnes loves BISD, and he has shown this love through his dedication to the students, the parents, the teachers, and the staff of the Brazosport Independent School District.