Jerry Barbe

A memorial service will be held in Walters at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Walters Cemetery Association, 129 E. Colorado Ave., Walters, OK 73572.

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 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” Ruth Brackeen of Roswell, New Mexico. They were married for 55 years. Jerry, Pat and their 3 children lived on a farm west of Walters until 1967 when Jerry decided to get into the motel business. He and his family were in the motel business for about 10 years and lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Texas. After leaving the motel business, Jerry and his family 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.

He was preceded in death by his wife 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; 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.