Obituary

Mr. Barry Garvin Hon, 86, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife and all four children with him on May 31, 2025. Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 31, 1938, Barry grew up in a close-knit Christian family and graduated from the University of Tulsa. He then migrated to Southern California, and his parents and sibling followed and lived nearby over the decades. He met the love of his life, Valerie de Gorog, in 1965, married in 1970, and enjoyed 55 years of loving marriage blessed with four children.

Barry was a real estate developer who built a number of communities in Orange County, and is best known for creating Foothill Ranch. Barry’s heart was in philanthropy, and he generously supported Christian ministries locally and abroad. He shared his love of music by donating pipe organs to churches including his local South Shores Baptist Church where all four children were baptized. He played music at home and in his car while waving his arms dramatically to conduct the orchestra. He loved to travel the world and was known to drive long distances to enjoy a well-made pastrami sandwich. He valued a sense of humor and adventure. He modeled to his children the importance of faith and humility, giving credit to others over himself, and he also wanted to impart to others the value of history.

He is survived by his loving wife, Valerie, and their four children Deborah, Kimberly and husband Mark, Elizabeth and husband Paul, and Darrell and wife Candice; grandchildren Arthur and Midori; and step-grandchildren Taylor and Eli. He is also survived by his sister Darrellyn and husband David and son David; and by his informally adopted family Linda and husband Pascal and children Mario and Georgina. A memorial service will be held at South Shores Baptist Church on August 2, 2025 at 10 am. All are welcome to attend.