Michael James Barren

Michael James Barren, 65, of Worthington, OH passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Cape Cod Hospital with his loving family by his side. Mike was born on May 4, 1958 to Catherine M. (McCarthy) Barren and the late Daniel James Barren in Laurel, MD. He spent his early years in Princeton, NJ and then later in Lakewood, NY after a family move entering high school. The eldest of six siblings and the son of a high school football coach, Mike set the bar high as a standout athlete at Southwestern Central High School competing for the football, basketball, and baseball teams. Following high school, Mike earned a U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship and attended Princeton University where he also competed for the basketball and baseball programs. After earning his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, he then fulfilled his service obligation as a member of the U.S. Army JAG Corps at Fort Ord in California. Returning to Ohio, Mike and his high school sweetheart, the late Wink Barren, raised their family as Mike continued to practice law as a Partner at Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur; Purcell & Scott Co., L.P.A.; and eventually his own firm, Barren & Merry Co., L.P.A. After practicing law full-time for over 31 years, Mike transitioned to a career in education. He spent six years as the Athletic Director at Chillicothe High School and more recently as an intermediate school teacher at Sonshine Christian Academy.

Mike was extremely proud of his family and his faith. He was a determined and loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, coach, teacher, and mentor. He possessed an innate ability to identify and then subsequently bring out the best in the people he encountered whether it was via challenge or encouragement. He was competitive and direct, but also light-hearted and considerate. Most of all though, Mike was fair. He gave everyone a chance and was happiest when he could help others succeed. Although Mike was personally successful in many endeavors throughout his life, his lasting impact will be the positive change and influence that he had on so many others, particularly young adults, in his years as a husband, father, mentor, and coach.

Along with Mike’s late wife Winkie N. Barren, he is also preceded in death by his son Christopher J. Barren; brother, Mark P. Barren, and father, Daniel J. Barren. Mike’s survivors include his mother, Catherine Barren of Worthington; daughter, Christine; sons, Nick (Jessie) and Pat (Melinda); grandsons, Henry and William; siblings, John (Jana) Barren of Gahanna, Brian (Kris) Barren of Cleveland; sisters, Mary Lee (Barry) Sprung of Worthington, and Anne Barren of Gahanna; sister-in-laws, Jennifer (Marty) Thompson of New Albany; Martha (John) Coleman of MA, Lucy (Tony) Ham of MT; and brother-in-law, George (Susan) Niden of MA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Sarah, Danny, Billy, Brad, Jamie, David, Andrew, Maggie, Caroline, Katie, John, George, Sarah, Kelsey, Kate, and Cody.

The family will be receiving friends at the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, OH on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 1-3 and 5-7PM. A funeral service will be held at ST. PETER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6899 Smoky Row Rd., Columbus, OH on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 10AM. The Barren family invites all friends & family to attend a celebration of Mike’s life at York Golf Club 7459 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43235 immediately following the mass 11:30am – 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sonshine Christian Academy Nehemiah Renovation Project at https://tinyurl.com/SonShine-Nehemiah-Project