Richard "Dick" Barron

RICHARD “DICK” DEAN BARRON, age 79, a Texas cable television pioneer who was instrumental in launching multiple regional sports networks across the U.S., passed away peacefully at his home in Missouri City, TX, on Sunday, January 5, 2014.

Dick may best be known for his role in helping to start regional sports television with the launch of Home Sports Entertainment (HSE) in Houston, TX, in 1983. As HSE’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Dick was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the network which covered the NBA’s Houston Rockets and MLB’s Houston Astros.

In the early 1970’s, Dick was one of HBO’s most successful regional managers, responsible for its being added to the programming lineup of fledgling cable television systems across Texas. Later, as General Manager of Pasadena (TX) Cablevision, he introduced the first pay cable operation in Texas in 1973. In the late 70’s to early 80’s, he served as Executive Vice President of Gulf Coast Cable Television (now Comcast) in Houston, and grew the subscriber base from 3,000 to over 100,000.

Dick was also instrumental in the launch of numerous regional sports networks including Prime Ticket (Southern California), Prime Sports Northwest, Prime Sports Rocky Mountain, Sunshine Network (Florida), Altitude Sports & Entertainment (Denver), SportsTime Ohio, and Prime Deportiva, the first 24-hour Spanish-language sports network in the U.S. and Latin America.

In 1999, CTAM Texas, the local chapter of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, presented him with the first annual CTAM Texas Pinnacle Award in recognition for his more than 25 years of service to the cable industry.

Beloved by all who knew him, Dick had a passion for spending time with his family, friends and pets, fishing at his beach house in San Luis Pass, cooking, reading, attending church, theatrical plays and movies, and cheering for his home sports teams.

A devoted family man, Dick was married to his wife, Gae, for 38 years before his passing. He is survived by his brother, Dan Barron and his wife Vivien of Bellingham, WA; and his children, Kathryn Barron and her husband Phil of Walla Walla, WA, Barbara Barron and her husband Mark of San Rafael, CA, Deborah Barron of Los Angeles, CA, Greg Lovett and his wife Carine of Baarn, Netherlands, Karen Hellstern and her husband Manny of Houston, TX, Christy Burrmann and her husband John of Missouri City, TX, and Missy Ryan of Ocean Springs, MS. Known as “Pop Pop,” he is remembered lovingly by his grandchildren, Danny, Lindsey, Kelly, Hayley, Trevor, Alexis, Leanne, Remy, Ryan, Alex and Meredith; plus many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Lisa Goodman, Ornelle Sidko, Mae Scott and Sue Louviere with A*Med Community Hospice for the wonderful care he received.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2013, at St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church, 4747 Sienna Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77059.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dick’s memory be made to the Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77053, or to St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church.