Grandpa Barney

I will probably add to this as time goes along. I wanted to share that my Grandpa Barney passed away this past week. He was over 88 years of age. He hadn't had a lot of major health issues until the past 5 months. Since then, he had really struggled, then started feeling better, and had gone down hill, again. The best way for me to describe it was uncomfortable. I think he was just uncomfortable.

- Uncomfortable with some of his physical ailments. For a person who has spent his whole life doing things for himself and relying on his own hard work, it was uncomfortable to have others wait on you and to not be able to do some of the easiest tasks.

- Uncomfortable with some of the social aspects of life. Grandpa had his computer and loved receiving e-mails. His eye sight has gotten continually worse and he wasn't able to read the e-mails and letters from grandkids. He wasn't able to respond, anymore. Even his "hunt and peck" method of typing was no longer effective. He had to not respond or wait for someone to help him out.

- Uncomfortably alone. Grandpa had 9 kids and 54 direct grandkids. Even with that, his wife of over 50 years passed away about 10 years earlier. We all missed Grandma Barney .. in many ways. But, I think Grandpa surely missed her the most.

We were able to see Grandpa at Dawna's wedding in December 2007. He flew with Cheryl & Alan to Florida. What a trip! He was tired and getting old. But, he was glad to be there. What a blessing to have him there. He was one of the witnesses filling in for my Dad, who passed away in 1993. I have seen Grandpa a few times since. When he started having some health problems, I made it a point to go and visit him. It was nice. Although the visits were somewhat short (only a few hours) and didn't focus on anything really deep. It was good to just sit and chat with a person who has seen so many things in life. He has been through the depression, multiple international wars (including WWII where he participated in various campaigns, such as D-Day, Liberation of Paris, and Battle of the Bulge), and other hardhips. He has also witnessed many blessings of a wonderful wife (Grandma Barney!) and great kids and grandkids. Here is a picture of Grandpa receiving (2007) the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver award.

I am glad that Grandpa Barney is finally able to rest and spend some "comfortable" and joyous time with his loved ones. He can be with Grandma Barney. He can be with Dad. I will miss him, but am happy for him.

Reid W. Barney

The following is the obituary placed in the Yakima Herald: http://old.yakimaherald.com/obit/show/6433

YAKIMA - On June 12th 2008, the second chapter of the life and times of Reid W. Barney came to a conclusion and the third chapter began. Reid joined his family on earth on December 16th 1919. Born to Francis Marion and Elsie Barney in Lewiston, Idaho, he was the eighth of eleven children.

Reid did not waste a minute of his life. Growing up, he learned to work hard, be honest, and always speak up for what he believed to be true. He graduated high school and went straight to work as a logger, where he learned how to handle himself and survive in all conditions. This knowledge served him well as he served his country and fellow man in WWII. Reid participated in three major campaigns: D-Day, Liberation of Paris, and the Battle of the Bulge. It was in 1943, just after his enlistment, that he met his wife and eternal partner of 57 years. Before shipping out, he was joined in marriage with Bernice Dolly Hattie Warren, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Soon after his arrival in England, Reid was informed that he had begun his legacy. After the war in Europe ended, Reid came home to his wife and 19 month old son.

By 1953, Reid had graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, putting himself through working as a barber. After graduation, the growing family moved several times before landing in the Yakima Valley. In 1960, the family, which now consisted of four boys and five girls, settled in the Wapato area. Here, Reid worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Toppenish as a soil conservationist for 28 years.

Reid touched many people's lives in many different ways. Through his job at the BIA, he served the farmers of the valley and became friends with many. He was active in the LDS church in Toppenish, where he held many callings: ward clerk, stake missionary, genealogist, high priest group leader, temple worker, and scout leader. He was active in the Boy Scouts of American for over 50 years, and achieved the Silver Beaver Award. Reid loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, riding and was an active member of the NRA. He and Bernice took part in many activities sponsored by the Appaloosa Horse Club, including the reenactment of the "Trail of Tears", the 1000 mile escape route of the Nez Perce Indians. However, he considered his greatest achievement to be his family. At the time of his passing, Reid was not only the proud father of nine children, but also the grandfather of 54 and a great grandfather to over 80, and the numbers continue to grow.

As Reid starts this third chapter, he joins his parents, eight of his siblings, a son Pete, and his loving wife Bernice. He is survived by two sisters, Ina Barney of Seattle, WA and Elda Jenkins of Gooding, ID; many nieces and nephews; his eight remaining children, Francis Barney of El Monte, CA, Gene Barney and Chris Barney both of Wapato, WA, Judy Morgan of Morton, WA, Paula Ward of Bloomington, ID, Cheryl Compton, Dawn Hill and Elsie Clements all of Wapato, WA, along with their spouses and many children to carry on his legacy on earth.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19th 2008 at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato, WA. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20th 2008 at the Toppenish LDS Church. Merritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Do you HULU?

So, I imagine it is a teaser and there will eventually be a cost included. BUT, until that time, I am going to HULU. What does that mean. That means I am going out to HULU (www.hulu.com), where you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows. It has been great for me, because I am not always home or available to watch my favorite programs each week. So, when I missed the season finale of the Office, I decided to go out and find it online. Not everything it out there, I think it is limted to only a few of the big players, but there are a lot of videos.

Check it out. For not, it is free. And, since it is free ... it is for me!

Samantha's Picture

Here is a new picture of my new gal. Enjoy! I do!

206 BBQ in 2008

Hey! I'm back. And what better post then to tell about my fun filled adventures in Utah. I went to Utah last week for work. I met with some clients and was able to visit with a few of my closest family and friends.

I had dinner with Erica, Jason, & Eva. They even brought out an ice cream cake at the end of the night to celebrate my birthday (earlier in the month).

I stopped by and had breakfast with Chanel, Christmas, & Tahi. Then they had to run off to Tahi's T-Ball game. She is old enough to be playing T-Ball? Crazy!

I had lunch with Terry, Filip, and John from work. It was nice and a good way for me to buy them lunch to pay them back for all the work they do for me.

I had dinner and watched a movie with Lance, Jared, Matt, & a new friend, Jon. Michael even stopped by during his dinner break. On the way out, we actually ran into Julianna and her husband! It was fun to meet another 'family' member. :0)

Anyhooo ... I was also able to have dinner with Veronica. She cooked! Good home cookin! So, why are all of my meetings during eating?

And, lastly, I had a great dinner BBQ with my old friends from the 206. Who was there? *Sam & Shauna & their kids: Claire, Lincoln, Cole, & Diego; *Jennifer; *Jeff & Staci, & their kids: & Katie; *Matt, Charity & their son Joel; *Ed & Allaire & their kids; *Brian & Alisha & their son Coleman; *Josh & Paige & their son. It was great to see everyone!

In short, I enjoyed my time in Utah and then went on to Houston. Next up .. Philadelphia.