Edwin Anthony Barras

Edwin Anthony Barras “Spike” was born on October 19, 1943, in Klotzville, LA, the fourth of six children born to Numa and Mildred Michel Barras. He died at his home on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the age of 82, after a short battle with colon cancer.

He is preceded in death by his parents Numa and Mildred Barras; sister, Verna Barras Ollis; and brother, Robert “Bobby” Barras.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Miryam Higuita Barras; brothers, Nathan “Butch” Barras (Shirley), and Aubrey Barras (Nancy); sister, Elaine Barras Williams (James); daughter, Susan Barras Norton; as well as many nieces and nephews. Those who were proud to call him dad or paw paw are his son and daughter, Diego Antonio Barras and Linda Barras Clouatre (Brad); and his granddaughters, Mia Aubrey Clouatre and Ava Marie Clouatre, who he loved dearly.

Edwin worked at Exxon for 30 years, starting out on an oil rig in Africa and later moved to South America to help start up a plant in Venezuela, where he met his wife. He later returned to the states as a plant operator at the chemical plant where he finished out his work career until he retired in 2000. He had many jobs throughout his life…radiator shop, electrical lineman for the state of Morgan City, crane operator, tugboat captain, anchor crew for an oil rig, and possessed a vast array of knowledge on many different subjects and always had a story to tell about his adventures.

He volunteered his time on several mission trips to Mexico and used his building expertise to build houses for people and bring needed supplies. He was also a volunteer with Hospice of Baton Rouge and was their resident handyman for some time, doing whatever was needed around the office; building ramps for people in wheelchairs, sitting with hospice patients, and picking up and delivering medicines. He chose Hospice of Baton Rouge to take care of him at the end when he needed care himself.

Edwin was extremely artistically talented and did beautiful woodwork, which kept his mind and hands busy after retirement and into his old age. He loved building unique wooden phone docks for everyone he knew or creating tiny scenes, carving very small and intricate pieces by hand and painting on all the tiny details. He built a rocking tiger for his granddaughter Mia and a rocking elephant for Ava. He had so many people tell him he could make a lot of money if he wanted to make and sell the tiger rockers around here, but he said it was a labor of love, not to be repeated. He had an amazing talent to be able to imagine something and bring it to life in his woodwork. His other passion was gardening. He built a beautiful garden with an old sugar kettle from his dad's house in Belle River that he kept goldfish in as the centerpiece along with a greenhouse that he managed to build without any help from anyone.

It has been said by many who knew him that out of all his brothers he was most like his dad Numa, who was lacking in patience, hardheaded, and had quite a temper. And while he was all these things, he also had a huge heart and could be a very generous man, especially when it came to his kids. He was a strong and fierce protector and provider; someone you felt blessed to have in your corner. He often showed his love through his actions and did many kind things to help people in his lifetime. Edwin also liked to have a good time and lived life to the fullest. He came close to meeting his maker several times and was compared to a cat with nine lives. He had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes and emailing or messaging comics or memes that he found funny.

Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9am until the time of funeral services at 11am. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.