Cpl. Arturo R. Barrera

Arturo, who went by Toby, was born in Corpus Christi to Jose and Concepcion Barrera. His dad sadly passed away when he was just 9 months old. He enjoyed time with his siblings: Joe, Angie, Frank, Juan Manuel, and Maria Elena. He had a younger sister, Rosalinda who passed away when she was a baby. He built a solid friend group in his youth that he maintained to the very end. He loved sharing stories of all the sports he played and dancing in a group that called themselves "The Jerks". He loved to share that he knew when it was time to go home from wherever he and his friends were playing in the neighborhood because you could smell the beans and tortillas. He also shared how he used to hide tortillas under his dinner plate to get more.

He moved to Houston at 15 and eventually volunteered for the Marine Corps at 18 years old in 1967. This path would change his life and shape the man he grew to be. It was in the Marine Corps where he met another “Corps” friend group that he cherished; his brothers in arms. He was given the name "Naileater" due to how tuff he was. He shared stories from boot camp, Vietnam, and his time in Rota, Spain. It's important to mention how much his brothers from Corpus and the Corps meant to him. So lovingly referred to as "The Storyteller", without those he considered his brothers he would have far less, and exciting, stories to tell. “Did I ever tell you about the time…”

In Vietnam he experienced more than any 18 year old should as he not only lost friends but witnessed death, pain, and combat first hand. He was wounded multiple times, survived stepping on a landmine and received 2 Purple hearts for injuries sustained. He finished his service in Rota, Spain where he had happier days on the beach and out with his friends when his liberties weren’t revoked as they often were. “Mr. Marine Barracks” wasn’t one to run from a fight or keep his mouth shut after all.

When he was honorably discharged and returned to the states he became a watchmaker and loved it dearly. He and his first wife Yolonda sadly lost a set of twin daughters before birth as well another daughter, Emily, who was stillborn. They eventually divorced and he married a firecracker, Lulu, who came with son Aaron. They would go on to have Amanda and Arturo Jr (A.J.). He eventually started working as a mail carrier and spent his time as a devoted family man. His love and support for his children was unmatched. Always having a love for music, he was a sound man for Tejano bands and loved to hit the dance floor with Lulu. A family man, to his core, he loved to spend time with his siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews while manning the BBQ pit on Sundays and at family functions.

After his first heart attack in 1996 he retired from the postal service and spent time in therapy working through his PTSD. Through that treatment he turned his focus to his retirement, music, crafts, and even more time with his children and eventually his grandson Sebastian and granddaughters Zoey, Ellie & Nova.

Having fought so long for his own he and Lulu shared a passion for aiding & advising fellow Veterans in their fights for, often, long overdue service related benefits. After losing Lulu to cancer in 2011 and dealing with his own slew of health issues his daughter, son, and grandson rallied around him to make sure "Bamps" was always taken care of. He loved bragging about his grandson getting his athleticism from him and never missed an opportunity to go to his basketball games, track meets, and jiujitsu tournaments. Eventually upon Sebastian's move to MMA he was sure to watch all of his matches online. Even in the hospital he had the nurses watch his fights on his tablet.

On January 30, 2026 he took his last breath with loved ones by his side. Toby Barrera loved life and loved his family even more. As he would say, he had one heck of a good run. He's with his parents, daughters, sisters, brothers, & friends now and likely having a dance with Lulu. May his soul rest easy. My brothers, son, and family are at peace knowing he's not hurting and we were blessed to have had him as long as we did.

Arturo, Toby, Naileater, The Storyteller, The Man, The Myth, and The Legend will be in our hearts always and forever. OOH RAH!