Lawrence Hall Barney was born June 18, 1942 in Payson, Utah to Arnold Alvey Barney and Beth Hall Barney. He was raised in Springville, Utah and graduated from Springville High School. He played football, tennis, and golf for Springville High. He joined the army reserves and was called to active duty during the Cuban missile crisis. After his service in the army he served a full-time, thirty-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West German Mission. Upon returning from his mission he married Erlene Child in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Lawrence graduated from Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and later earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Utah. He spent most of his professional career in real Estate. Lawrence and Erlene raised their six children in Salt Lake City. Lawrence served as Bishop of the 36th Ward in the Salt Lake Park Stake for seven years. He served in numerous other callings and capacities for his Church, including service in the branch presidency at the Decker Lake Youth Detention Center, and in the branch presidency at the Silverado Memory Care Center. Lawrence loved babies, had a special way with teenagers, and was affectionate with his children and grandchildren. He loved to play and watch sports, and was an especially avid fan of BYU sports. Lawrence had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes and laugh. He had a big, generous heart and would help anyone down on their luck. Lawrence served with his wife Erlene as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for more than 18 years. He also served a mission with Erlene for the Church at the Church History Library in downtown Salt Lake City. Lawrence had a special love for Missionary Work, the Temple, and the Book of Mormon – which he read hundreds of times throughout his life. He was true to his faith and his covenants to the very end. Lawrence was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. All of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called him “Gramps.” Gramps passed peacefully on September 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson James Luther Barney, and his brother-in-law Tom Kreth. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Erlene, their six children Maren Barney DeTorbal (Dan), Tim Barney (Paula), Jon Barney (Lara), Katie Barney Wright, Patrick Barney (Andrea), David Barney (Heather), 26 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way), brother Merrill Barney (Melinda), sisters Jeanne Christensen (Steve), Bonnie Metcalf (Sam), Dianne Kreth, and Arna Barney, in-laws Rick and Rebecca Child, Linda and Zane Lubin, and Christine and Rod Oldroyd. A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1495 East 4705 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117 on Friday, September 16 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and again Saturday morning, September 17, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. A funeral service will be held at the same church building at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Funeral services are under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary. The family is grateful Lawrence can now walk and not be weary, run and not faint.
