Leon J. Barrie Jr., age 96, died on June 11, 2018. He was born in Turton, Spink County, South Dakota, a son of Leon J Barrie Sr. and Johanna Heyer Barrie. His parents moved to Northern Minnesota where he attended school on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, and he graduated from the Red Lake High School. He attended a teacher’s college briefly, before the outbreak of World War II.
He was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy, stationed at NAS Jacksonville and later deployed to Trinidad. He worked on naval aircraft as a chief metalsmith and served on a gun crew aboard aircraft guarding convoys crossing the Atlantic. During the war, he married the mother of his children, Melba Moody, in 1943. After the war, he settled in Green Cove Springs where he owned and operated a Service Station for a few years, He loved baseball, and played on the local Green Cove team. In 1948, he became a faithful member of Hickory Grove Baptist church for many years. He loved hunting and fishing, with a special fondness for the St. Johns river. He later became a Game Warden, doing what he enjoyed the most, working in the outdoors conserving Florida’s wildlife. He retired as an Area Supervisor for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission after 30 years of service. He retired again as a game keeper and manager for the Gilman Paper Company “Black Bottom” Wildlife Management Area.
He married Shirley Goodson Alvarez in 1974, and moved to the Westside of Jacksonville, where he enjoyed the hobby of raising various farm animals. He became an avid beekeeper and sold honey as “Barrie’s Bees”. He lived out the remainder of his life at his home in Jacksonville, staying active into his elder years. He enjoyed an occasional trip to Fish and Wildlife events, and enjoyed his status as the oldest living Game Warden. He continued in remarkably good health until one week prior to his death.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, his wife Shirley, sisters Lois Barrie, Jean Smart, and Ardis Oberon, his brothers Dwayne Barrie, James Barrie, and Darwin Barrie.
He is survived by his sister JoAnn Barrie Jones (Stanley), Marysville WA, and brother Darrel D. Barrie of Seattle WA. His survivors include sons Leon J Barrie III (Mary Anne), Alan R. Barrie (Debra), daughters Sharri L. Hunter (Harry), Sharon A. Barnard, stepchildren Lacy Alvarez Scardasis, John Allen Alvarez (Rita), and Lynn Alvarez. Grandchildren are David Barrie, Rebekah Barrie Westall, Kenneth Hunter, Kathryn Hunter Bridges, Deborah Barrie Stravato, Jennifer Barnard Berry, Jonathan Barnard, Wendy Harwood, Nancy Voss, Jessica Epps Shepherd (Christopher), Joseph Corey Blocker, Courtney Alvarez, Trae Alvarez, Cord Alvarez, Kelby Alvarez, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, with numerous nieces and nephews.
He is especially indebted to his special loving caregiver, Lacy Scardasis, who tirelessly gave him the best of care in his declining years, even though it was taxing on her personal health. You may leave words of comfort and sympathy at www.HGRiversideFuneralHome.com . HARDAGE-GIDDENS, RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK and FUNERAL HOME, 7242 Normandy Boulevard is serving the family.
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