Jerry and Pat Barbe

A Memorial Service to honor the memory of both Jerry and Pat Barbe to be held at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, OK on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Justin Dunn of University Baptist Church, Shawnee, officiating. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Walters Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 485, Walters, OK 73572.

Patricia Ruth “Pat” (Brackeen) Barbe of McLoud, age 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 3, 2015. She was born on August 17, 1935 to Chauncey E. “Mack” and Francis H. (neé McGee) Brackeen in Roswell, New Mexico.

Pat graduated from St. Peter’s High School in Roswell, New Mexico in 1953. She sang with the Sweet Adelines, a women’s singing organization and worked for the phone company in Roswell until she married the love of her life, Jerry Barbe.

Jerry Cleat Barbe, Sr. was born August 7, 1932 and departed this life in Lawton, Oklahoma on December 4, 2020 at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 27 days.

Jerry, who was named after family friend Jerry Cleat Duncan, was born and raised on the family farm located 10 miles west of Walters, OK, near Emerson. He attended Pecan Grove Elementary and graduated from Ahpeatone High School in 1950. He attended Cameron Junior College in Lawton for one semester before joining the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served two years as a Fireman on a LST ship (Landing Ship, Tank) stationed at the Little Creek Navy Base in Norfolk, Virginia, and two years as a Fireman working U.S. Navy rescue and salvage operations in Corpus Christi, Texas. He received a National Defense Service Medal with commendation for his work in Corpus Christi. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to Walters to resume farming and ranching.

On February 1, 1960, Jerry married Patricia “Pat” Brackeen of Roswell, New Mexico. Jerry and Pat began building a home full of love and laughter which continued throughout their 55-year marriage. They were blessed with three children, a daughter Kaylene, and two sons Cleat and Roy, and were living on a farm west of Walters until 1967 when Jerry decided to get into the motel business. He and his family were in the business for about 10 years and lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Texas. After leaving the motel business, Jerry and Pat settled in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. He worked in sales for 20 years in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio, Texas until his retirement.

Though Jerry enjoyed thinking about the next business project, his main focus was people. He loved interacting with people by joking, laughing and sharing good stories. He became a Christian at an early age and lived his faith daily. He was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Pharr, Texas but he didn’t need an official role or title to serve people. He was always willing to offer help to those who needed it. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandson.

Through the years Pat worked as a Teacher’s Aide for the Dellview School District in San Antonio, Texas with Pre-K special needs children for 10 years; she loved this job. Pat enjoyed all arts and crafts, especially oil painting. The most joy she had was in creating a loving home, working in the family businesses, and keeping Jerry in line.

Pat was survived by her husband Jerry; daughter Kaylene; sons Cleat and Roy; her grandson Roy A. Barbe; as well as numerous other relatives.

Jerry was preceded in death by Pat in 2015; his father Leroy “Roy” Athol Barbe; his mother Obie V. Elliott Barbe; his brothers Leroy Barbe, Worley Barbe and Paul Barbe; his sisters Pearl Barbe Taylor, Georgie Barbe Kraemer, Margaret Barbe Copeland and Pencie Ruth Barbe Brookshier; and his daughter-in-law Leticia “Letty” Moncivais Barbe.

Jerry is survived by daughter Kaylene Barbe of Shawnee, Oklahoma; a son J. Cleat Barbe, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas; a son Roy W. Barbe of Port Mansfield, Texas; a grandson Roy A. Barbe of Port Mansfield, Texas; a brother-in-law Larry James of Boerne, Texas, a brother-in-law Dr. Russell Brookshier of Hanford, California; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews and cousins.