Richard Laurence Baron

Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Friend

Richard Laurence Baron, who once said he needed to use all three parts of his name because he was so big – died Thursday of congestive heart failure.

Richard was born to Sarah Lee & Paul Baron in St. Louis Missouri. He grew up in Atlanta Georgia where he attended and graduated Marist Academy & Oglethorpe University.

He served as a Naval Air Crewman (an Airedale) during The Vietnam War.

After his discharge he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and began his life long career in advertising.

On May 7, 1977, he and Barbara were married under a willow tree near Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis.

In 1984 he took a position with the Bloom Company, here in Houston, which became Quest Business to Business. During his years there he was elected chairman of Dialogue International, a worldwide consortium of business to business agencies. These worldwide meetings allowed him to travel to Paris, Prague, Rome Madrid, Cairo, Helsinki, Malmo, New York, Copenhagen, Singapore, Budapest and other cities. Barbara & Rachel often accompanied him. Wherever he went he forged solid friendships.

In 2006 Richard went into business for himself - becoming Signalwrite™ Marketing Communications ∙ Copywriting.

He was known for his loud shirts, loud laugh, and his firm handshake. He ran Marathons, biked all over Houston, enjoyed reading history and science-fiction, loved good food, wine and craft beer and when he smoked – good cigars.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Terry Nytes, father-in-law Raymond Slavik and brother -in -law Jeffrey Slavik. His survivors include his wife of 33 years, Barbara; his sister Evalyn Baron & husband Peter Yonka; son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter Doug, Donna & Madeleine Rose Nytes; daughter Rachel Baron and her partner, Alison Bond; cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews, many other relatives, hundreds of friends and business associates.

Family and friends gathered for a celebration of Richard's life from one until five o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 7th of January 2012, at The Pavillion on Gessner, 2500 North Gessner in Houston, 77055. (713) 460-3938. In the spirit of this celebration, everyone was asked to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt.

In lieu of flowers and usual remembrances, memorial contributions in Richard's name are requested to a charity of your choosing.