Ronald A. Barnes, a former pharmacist and owner of McCarthy Drugs in Pacific Palisades, passed away on April 10 following aortic and mitral valve replacement on March 29. He was 78. Born in Whitefish, Montana, on August 29, 1931, Ron joined the U.S. Navy and served as a dental assistant until his honorable discharge. He attended Santa Monica College and the University of Washington, graduating in pharmacy in 1963. In 1969, Ron purchased McCarthy Drugs, located at 972 Monument St., conducting business until 1974, when he and his wife, Joan, moved their merchandise and customer base to merge with the Palisades Drug Co., recently purchased from Bob and Rose Huff by Jay and Judy Steuerwald. At about that same time, Ron and Joan moved to Pacific Palisades. In 1984, after losing its lease and historical location (the Business Block building) due to earthquake retrofitting, Palisades Drugs moved its pharmacy and popular cafe into much smaller quarters across Sunset Boulevard. ‘We helped save the Business Block building from demolition in 1983,’ said Joan, recalling the ‘Don’t Mall the Palisades’ campaign against plans to sell the property to a developer. ‘But we still had to move out a year later.’ After his business was dissolved in the mid-1990s, Ron went to Capital Drug in West Hollywood and was able to continue his interest in alternative medicines. He soon became quite adroit in knowing which alternatives did or did not interfere with prescribed medications. Then he became pharmacist in charge at Beverly Hills Medical Plaza Pharmacy for 10 years until last August when his health failed. Many patients will miss his knowledge, wisdom and humor. Ron was a past commander of American Legion Post 283 and a member of the Palisades Optimist Club and the famous Roaring 20’s, started by Bud Emerson of Emerson-LeMay Cleaners and Charley Anderson, then manager of Glendale Federal Bank. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan ‘Joey’ Barnes, who grew up in Pacific Palisades from the age of three and now lives in Porter Ranch; his step-brother, Anson Barnes of Columbia Falls, Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews. Post 283 and Auxiliary will honor Ron at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, with a military memorial service at the Legion, 15247 La Cruz Dr. Old friends of this humorous gentleman and patriot are cordially invited. Please RSVP: (310) 454-0527. In lieu of flowers, Ron would wish for donations to be made to The Wounded Warriors, c/o American Legion Post 283.
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