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Barnhart was born to Ora E. Barnhart (1904–1991)<ref>, Ancestry.com, accessedJanuary 8, 2010.</ref> and the former Alice Mildred Anderson in Elgin in Kane County west of [[Chicago]] in northeastern [[Illinois]], to the east of Reagan's birthplace in  Tampico in western Illinois. An [[Eagle Scout]], Barnhart graduated from Elgin High School in January 1945, a semester earlier than most of his classmates. He enlisted in the [[United States Army]] and served from 1946 to 1947.<ref name=whow/>  

Barnhart was born to Ora E. Barnhart (1904–1991)<ref>, Ancestry.com, accessedJanuary 8, 2010.</ref> and the former Alice Mildred Anderson in Elgin in Kane County west of [[Chicago]] in northeastern [[Illinois]], to the east of Reagan's birthplace in  Tampico in western Illinois. An [[Eagle Scout]], Barnhart graduated from Elgin High School in January 1945, a semester earlier than most of his classmates. He enlisted in the [[United States Army]] and served from 1946 to 1947.<ref name=whow/>  

Thereafter, he studied speech and theatre arts at Marietta College in Marietta, [[Ohio]], from which he obtained the [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1950. He married the former Jacqueline Price<ref name=whow/> (born 1927) in Bellaire in Belmont County,  Ohio. In 1951, he received a [[Master of Arts]] in speech, theater, and radio communication from the University of Houston.<ref name=honor>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107153007/https://tti.tamu.edu/hall_of_honor/inductees/2004.htm|title=Texas Transportation Institute Hall of Honor: Ray A. Barnhart|publisher=Tamu.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2009}}</ref> He returned to Marietta College as a [[professor]] from 1951 to 1955. With an ending salary of $3,050 annually at Marietta College, the Barnharts relocated to Houston, where he entered the construction businesses. He first dug water and sewer lines and later specialized in underground utilities. Thereafter, he was an [[insurance]] agent from 1978 to 1981.<ref name=whow/>​

Thereafter, he studied speech and theatre arts at Marietta College in Marietta, [[Ohio]], from which he obtained the [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1950. He married the former Jacqueline Price<ref name=whow/> (born 1927) in Bellaire in Belmont County,  Ohio. In 1951, he received a [[Master of Arts]] in speech, theater, and radio communication from the University of Houston.<ref name=honor>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107153007/https://tti.tamu.edu/hall_of_honor/inductees/2004.htm|title=Texas Transportation Institute Hall of Honor:Ray A. Barnhart|publisher=Tamu.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2009}}</ref> He returned to Marietta College as a [[professor]] from 1951 to 1955. With an ending salary of $3,050 annually at Marietta College, the Barnharts relocated to Houston, where he entered the construction businesses. He first dug water and sewer lines and later specialized in underground utilities. Thereafter, he was an [[insurance]] agent from 1978 to 1981.<ref name=whow/>​

 

==State politics==​

==State politics==​

Barnhart's political interest began with two terms on the city council in Pasadena, which he describes at the time as "a lovely community but politically corrupt."<ref name=statement>Statement of Ray Barnhart, January 7, 2010.</ref> He and other businessmen worked to establish a mayor-council form of government to replace the city commission government then in place in Pasadena and first used in 1901 in nearby [[Galveston]]. "We found it was hard to get good people to run for the city offices," he said. After two terms on the council, Barnhart ran unsuccessfully for mayor but was defeated by Clyde Doyle, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]].<ref name=statement/> In Texas, municipal offices are technically non-partisan, and hence no party labels appear on the ballot. Barnhart recalls that a half dozen Pasadena officials were indicted in the late 1950s and early 1960s for public corruption.<ref name=statement/>​

Barnhart's political interest began with two terms on the city council in Pasadena, which he describes at the time as "a lovely community but politically corrupt."<ref name=statement>Statement of Ray Barnhart, January 7, 2010.</ref> He and other businessmen worked to establish a mayor-council form of government to replace the city commission government then in place in Pasadena and first used in 1901 in nearby [[Galveston]]. "We found it was hard to get good people to run for the city offices," he said. After two terms on the council, Barnhart ran unsuccessfully for mayor but was defeated by Clyde Doyle, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]].<ref name=statement/> In Texas, municipal offices are technically non-partisan, and hence no party labels appear on the ballot. Barnhart recalls that a half dozen Pasadena officials were indicted in the late 1950s and early 1960s for public corruption.<ref name=statement/>​

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In 1972, Barnhart was elected to a two-year term in revised District 100 (previously District 24-6)<ref>Because of changes in district lines over the years, District 100 is now in [[Dallas]], rather than Harris County.</ref> in the state House of Representatives, when President [[Richard M. Nixon and [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] were heading the state Republican ticket, along with the defeated gubernatorial nominee [[Henry C. Grover]] of Houston. Barnhart's House colleagues included Ray Hutchison of Dallas and Kay Bailey Hutchison|Kay Bailey]] of Harris County. The two married during their common legislative tenure, and Kay Bailey Hutchison went on to the [[United States Senate]] in 1993. In the 1974 session, the legislature became an ''ex officio'' constitutional convention headed by Speaker Price Daniel, Jr., of Liberty, Texas. In the deliberations Barnhart opposed a motion to "guarantee equal educational opportunity and free public schools" to all citizens. As drafted, Barnhart said that the motion, offered by the [[University of Texas]] Board of Regents chairman Frank Erwin would have prevented the state from charging tuition and fees at its public colleges and universities. Legislators acting as delegates fell three votes short of the 121/188, or 2/3 supermajority needed to adopt the new constitution. The state is hence still governed by the Texas Constitution of 1876. In 1974, a strongly Democratic year nationally as well as in Texas, Barnhart was defeated for a second term in the legislature by the Democrat Bill Caraway. Barnhart recalls that certain members of the Sagemont Church, a mission of First [[Baptist]] Church of Pasadena, organized in 1966 by founding pastor John D. Morgan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagemontchurch.org/about/the-sagemont-story/|title=Biographical Data|publisher=Sagemontchurch.org|accessdate=July 20, 2014}}</ref> worked against Barnhart because of his [[conservative]] fiscal policies and succeeded in bringing about the freshman lawmaker's defeat. Barnhart added that the long-serving pastor John Morgan had no role in the political action.<ref name=statement/>​

In 1972, Barnhart was elected to a two-year term in revised District 100 (previously District 24-6)<ref>Because of changes in district lines over the years, District 100 is now in [[Dallas]], rather than Harris County.</ref> in the state House of Representatives, when President [[Richard M. Nixon and [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] were heading the state Republican ticket, along with the defeated gubernatorial nominee [[Henry C. Grover]] of Houston. Barnhart's House colleagues included Ray Hutchison of Dallas and Kay Bailey Hutchison|Kay Bailey]] of Harris County. The two married during their common legislative tenure, and Kay Bailey Hutchison went on to the [[United States Senate]] in 1993. In the 1974 session, the legislature became an ''ex officio'' constitutional convention headed by Speaker Price Daniel, Jr., of Liberty, Texas. In the deliberations Barnhart opposed a motion to "guarantee equal educational opportunity and free public schools" to all citizens. As drafted, Barnhart said that the motion, offered by the [[University of Texas]] Board of Regents chairman Frank Erwin would have prevented the state from charging tuition and fees at its public colleges and universities. Legislators acting as delegates fell three votes short of the 121/188, or 2/3 supermajority needed to adopt the new constitution. The state is hence still governed by the Texas Constitution of 1876. In 1974, a strongly Democratic year nationally as well as in Texas, Barnhart was defeated for a second term in the legislature by the Democrat Bill Caraway. Barnhart recalls that certain members of the Sagemont Church, a mission of First [[Baptist]] Church of Pasadena, organized in 1966 by founding pastor John D. Morgan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagemontchurch.org/about/the-sagemont-story/|title=Biographical Data|publisher=Sagemontchurch.org|accessdate=July 20, 2014}}</ref> worked against Barnhart because of his [[conservative]] fiscal policies and succeeded in bringing about the freshman lawmaker's defeat. Barnhart added that the long-serving pastor John Morgan had no role in the political action.<ref name=statement/>​

 

==National politics==​

==National politics==​

At the national level, Barnhart had supported [[Barry Goldwater]]'s ill-fated campaign in Texas against native son [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In 1975 and 1976, as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, Barnhart was asked by Reagan to manage the [[California]]n's presidential primary campaign in Texas. Barnhart, then a [[United Methodist]], enlisted as co-chairmen Ernest Angelo, the mayor of Midland and a [[Roman Catholic]], and Barbara Staff, a party leader then active in the First Baptist Church of Dallas under pastor Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). The campaign was so successful that the Reagan forces prevailed, 96-0, over President Ford, who had the backing of Senator Tower. Then four more Reagan delegates were chosen at the state convention. Barnhart recalled that wealthy Texas contributors were loyal to President Ford, but the Reagan forces had the "plain people" as voters and election workers. Barnhart said that he offered Tower and [[John Connally]], the former Democratic governor who switched parties in 1973 after having served as [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] under President Nixon, delegate positions at the 1976 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], provided they would agree to support Reagan for the first three potential ballots. The two declined Barnhart's offer and were hence not delegates to the convention. Barnhart chaired the Texas delegation at the convention.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," West Texas Historical Association Yearbook Vol. 86 (2010), pp. 81, 86.</ref>​

At the national level, Barnhart had supported [[Barry Goldwater]]'s ill-fated campaign in Texas against native son [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In 1975 and 1976, as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, Barnhart was asked by Reagan to manage the [[California]]n's presidential primary campaign in Texas. Barnhart, then a [[United Methodist]], enlisted as co-chairmen Ernest Angelo, the mayor of Midland and a [[Roman Catholic]], and Barbara Staff, a party leader then active in the First Baptist Church of Dallas under pastor Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). The campaign was so successful that the Reagan forces prevailed, 96-0, over President Ford, who had the backing of Senator Tower. Then four more Reagan delegates were chosen at the state convention. Barnhart recalled that wealthy Texas contributors were loyal to President Ford, but the Reagan forces had the "plain people" as voters and election workers. Barnhart said that he offered Tower and [[John Connally]], the former Democratic governor who switched parties in 1973 after having served as [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] under President Nixon, delegate positions at the 1976 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], provided they would agree to support Reagan for the first three potential ballots. The two declined Barnhart's offer and were hence not delegates to the convention. Barnhart chaired the Texas delegation at the convention.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," West Texas Historical Association Yearbook Vol. 86 (2010), pp. 81, 86.</ref>​

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Barnhart himself was a Reagan delegate in Texas' 22nd congressional district, then including |Fort Bend, Brazoria, and parts of Harris and Waller counties. His side prevailed, 15,054 to 7,934 for the Ford forces.<ref>1976 Texas presidential primary returns, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, [[Austin]], Texas, 78711-2927</ref><ref>''WTHA Yearbook'', p. 81.</ref>​

Barnhart himself was a Reagan delegate in Texas' 22nd congressional district, then including |Fort Bend, Brazoria, and parts of Harris and Waller counties. His side prevailed, 15,054 to 7,934 for the Ford forces.<ref>1976 Texas presidential primary returns, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, [[Austin]], Texas, 78711-2927</ref><ref>''WTHA Yearbook'', p. 81.</ref>​

 

==Supporting Bill Clements==​

==Supporting Bill Clements==​

From 1975 to 1977, Barnhart was the Harris County Republican chairman. He was then state Republican chairman from 1977 to 1979, having succeeded Ray Hutchison, who stepped down to run unsuccessfully for governor in the primary against [[Bill Clements]]. Barnhart then worked to elect Clements, who secured a narrow gubernatorial victory over the Democrat John Luke Hill (1923-2007), the state attorney general and former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. As state [[Republican Party|GOP]] chairman, Barnhart was succeeded by Chester R. Upham, Jr. (1925-2008), an oil and natural gas businessman from Mineral Wells, who held the position until 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.is/20120903181308/http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/local_story_025074142.html|author=Laci Morrison and Libby Cluett,|title=Upham's death mourned by local, state political leaders|publisher=''Mineral Wells Index''|date=January 25, 2008|accessdate=Aprl 6, 2019}}</ref>

From 1975 to 1977, Barnhart was the Harris County Republican chairman. He was then state Republican chairman from 1977 to 1979, having succeeded Ray Hutchison, who stepped down to run unsuccessfully for governor in the primary against [[Bill Clements]]. Barnhart then worked to elect Clements, who secured a narrow gubernatorial victory over the Democrat John Luke Hill (1923-2007), the state attorney general and former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. As state [[Republican Party|GOP]] chairman, Barnhart was succeeded by Chester R. Upham, Jr. (1925-2008), an oil and natural gas businessman from Mineral Wells, who held the position until 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.is/20120903181308/http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/local_story_025074142.html|author=Laci Morrison and Libby Cluett,|title=Upham's death mourned by local, state political leaders|publisher=''Mineral Wells Index''|date=January 25, 2008|accessdate=Aprl 6, 2019}}</ref>

In May 1979, incoming Governor Clements appointed Barnhart to the then three- member (since five members) Texas Department of Transportation. He served on the Texas Turnpike Authority,<ref name=whow/> the state agency responsible for construction and operation of major toll facilities.. At that time, Barnhart left his position with the Barmore Insurance Agency in Pasadena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=44068|title=Ronald Reagan: Nomination of Ray A. Barnhart To Be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, January&nbsp;20, 1981|publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref>​

In May 1979, incoming Governor Clements appointed Barnhart to the then three-member (since five members) Texas Department of Transportation. He served on the Texas Turnpike Authority,<ref name=whow/> the state agency responsible for construction and operation of major toll facilities.. At that time, Barnhart left his position with the Barmore Insurance Agency in Pasadena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=44068|title=Ronald Reagan: Nomination of Ray A. Barnhart To Be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, January&nbsp;20, 1981|publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref>​

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==Federal Highway Administration==

==Federal Highway Administration==

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Barnhart died at the age of eighty-five on May 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/585945/Ray-Barnhart.html?nav=516|title=Ray Barnhart|date=May 27, 2013|publusher=Theintelligencer.net|accessdate= May 30, 2013}}</ref> At his request there was no funeral. He was interred privately in a family tomb on the Rousselot Ranch in Sonora.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216012802/http://www.ilnewsfeed.com/elgin/ray-barnhart/|title=Ray Barnhart|publisher=Ilnewsfeed.com|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

Barnhart died at the age of eighty-five on May 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/585945/Ray-Barnhart.html?nav=516|title=Ray Barnhart|date=May 27, 2013|publusher=Theintelligencer.net|accessdate= May 30, 2013}}</ref> At his request there was no funeral. He was interred privately in a family tomb on the Rousselot Ranch in Sonora.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216012802/http://www.ilnewsfeed.com/elgin/ray-barnhart/|title=Ray Barnhart|publisher=Ilnewsfeed.com|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

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