R. E. Barham Jr., 90, was honored at a ceremony at the Oak Ridge Town Hall on March 15 for his many years of volunteer service in keeping Oak Ridge clean and beautiful. A plaque, presented to him by the Town Council, declared the week of March 15 to be R.E. Barham Week in Oak Ridge.
Mr. R.E., as he is affectionately known, has lived all his life in Oak Ridge except the years during World War II, when he served his country in the European Theater. During the war, he served in five campaigns and was honored with the Purple Heart for being wounded. This Purple Heart, along with other war medals, is displayed in a glass case in his home.
Returning to Oak Ridge after the war, he became the owner-operator of Barham Store, a long time fixture in Oak Ridge, where one might purchase anything from milk to hardware to clothing.
Since his retirement, Mr. R. E. has kept very busy picking up limbs to burn, mowing overgrown ditch banks, and of course picking up litter. Like many of his generation, if he sees something that needs to be done, he does it. The citizens of Oak Ridge are very glad Mr. R.E is their neighbor and friend.
