Larry (Clay) Clayton Barbour

Larry Clayton (Clay) Barbour, a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully in his home on April 8, 2020.  Clay was born on September 10, 1956 in Tulia, Texas.  As a child, he enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and fishing; a theme that carried on throughout the rest of his life.  Starting at an early age, Clay also found a love for music and played percussion in the high school band. He also enjoyed the guitar and played long into his adult years. Clay attended San Marcos High School and graduated from Wheeler High School in 1976.

As a young man, Clay’s summer breaks from school were spent with his grandfather roofing houses. This developed into a carpentry skill set that would turn into a lifelong career. Following high school graduation, Clay was a residential framing apprentice and practiced skills he learned early in life. He eventually had several crews of his own and ran his own small business. It was through this business and banking at a local bank that led Clay to the love of his life, Julie, who was working as a teller at the time.  Clay and Julie were married in 1985, after dating a few short months.  Two years later, they would be blessed with their son, Joe.

Clay was truly a master carpenter. He could lay out projects brilliantly in his head without pen and paper. He passed many of these skills onto his son, Joe, as they spent time together building projects such as a large deck and gazebo on the backside of the family home.   

In addition to fishing, Clay had a love for so many things including trips to Galveston, eating seafood, traveling, listening to music, cooking (especially barbecuing), finding new recipes, and collecting arrowheads.  Relaxing at his home and on the land that he and Julie nurtured together – their Field of Dreams – was one of his most favorite things to do.

Clay loved being with his family and had many adventures with Joe. More recently, he was overjoyed to be a Papaw to his two grandsons, Sterling and Blaine.  Clay and Julie were truly best friends and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.  They were perfect for each other and had a happy and adventure-filled marriage.  His friends and family will miss his easy-going personality and laid-back demeanor.  

Clay had a persistent and strong fighting spirit. He battled cancer and numerous major health issues for seven years.  He overcame so many health obstacles year after year and maintained a positive and hopeful attitude through it all.  He was always more concerned about those around him – than he was about his own health.

He relied on his faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and was a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin.  Clay is survived by his wife of 35 years, Julia Barbour;  son Joseph Clayton Barbour and daughter-in-law, Kristin; grandsons Sterling Clayton and Robert Blaine; mother, Mary Lea Hefner, sisters Cheryl Waggoner and Jill Hefner and husband Tommy, niece Callie Hefner, niece Kate Stewart and her husband Tyler, nephew Zach Waggoner, wife, Stevie and their daughter Amelia. Clay is also survived by numerous cousins, friends and other loved ones.

Funeral services are being administered by The Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown. A private graveside service at Liberty Hill Cemetery will be officiated by Dan Gardner of Hyde Park Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Clay’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org