In Scripture, Ecclesiastes 3:1 it is said: “To everything there is a season. A season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill , and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Barney “Beaver” Charles Aspa, Jr. passed away at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona. Each of us whether his family or friends are still mourning his passing and trying to reconcile with our grief. Barney’s life reached out to so many others. Barney was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. Barney was equally loved in return by his family and friends. Barney was blessed with the ability to make others feel like each was his personal friend. He was always good to greet others with a smile and “HELLO.” Whether Barney knew it or not, his greeting became something that was looked forward to by those he would regularly encounter during his lifetime of daily activities.
Barney was born at the old Indian Health Service Hospital (IHS) at the Colorado River Indian Agency to Barney Charles Aspa, Sr. and Ethel Polacca Aspa. Barney was of Chemehuevi/ Quechan descent on his paternal side and of Hopi Tewa descent on his maternal side.
Barney was the eldest of his siblings. His brothers and sisters are: Raymond, Eugene, Darnella, Larry, Mike, Herbie, Glenda, James, Richard, Maynard, and Darrell. In his extended family the three others which he loved and cared deeply about were his beloved Grandma Elsie, his Aunt Esther and his sister/friend, Sharon Hogsten.
Barney was preceded in death by his parents; his first born son, Ronald Lee; his sisters, Darnella and Glenda; and his brothers, Eugene, Larry, and Darrell (Whimpy). He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer; and his children: sons Ryan, Robin (Elvira) Mykah, Nick; and daughter, Kayla in addition to all twelve grandchildren.
Barney by no means lived an easy childhood, but from the outside looking in, once he became an adult you would not have guessed his personal story. He was resilient and overcame the adversities in his life. Barney as a child did not have much of anything materially. Not being use to having the annual Christmas tree, once Barney went out to the wide open spaces and brought a greasewood bush back home to be decorated. It was not uncommon for Ethel and Barney to go out driving around looking for small game such as rabbit to shoot for the dinner meal. He learned to play with rocks and sticks and never called crayons anything other than “colors.” He loved it when he could have colors and paper. At a young age he was able to develop the skills to “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.” For those who are not familiar with the Marine Corp slogan, Barney as a child had inadvertently learned the mindset which provided him the skills for dealing with any physical, mental, or spiritual hardship. That being said, Barney’s greatest regret was that he never served in the military. It is believed that his father’s rigid parenting style came from his father’s own time in the Army which may have factored into Barney’s strong lifelong work ethics, but it is absolute his grandmother, Elsie had a huge influence over him. Elsie would tell Barney, “Work for what you have!” “You are your community." and “Don’t grow up to be a drinker!” Likewise, his mother, Ethel deeply influenced him toward his walk in the Christian faith. At a young age, Barney was baptized at the same church where his parents were married in September 1948, at the Poston Baptist Church. As the story goes, Barney’s cousin “Hippo” that very day helped with Barney’s baptism by pushing him into the water. It was expected when the Poston kids got together, they could be quite mischievous, and it usually was.
BARNEY’S SCHOOL YEARS –
Barney first attended Le Pera Elementary School before moving to Peach Springs with his father and siblings. Of his time at Le Pera, Barney told stories of “Old Man Le Pera” using the paddle on the kids until they said “Thank You.” While living at Peach Springs, Barney and another boy by the last name, Tapija helped the B.I.A. Forestry when the first elk were stocked in the area. It was the responsibility of the two boys to unload the elk from the hauler. It can be said, that the elk of today in the Peach Springs area descended from those original elk the two boys unloaded. Barney would finish 8th grade at Peach Springs before returning to Parker to attend and graduate from Parker High School in 1968.
During his high school years, Barney participated in a variety of extracurricular interests. He played Football as a guard (1– 2 – 3) with one former teammate saying “He may have been a twig, but you sure didn’t want him tackling you;” JV Basketball (1 – 2); Track (3); Baseball Outfielder (1 – 2 – 3), and during his Junior year, he was co-Captain; and made All Conference and All State 2nd Team. On a side note, when Barney’s sons reached high school age, they too, chose to wear their Dad’s jersey numbers. Barney was in Letterman’s Club (1 – 2 – 3) and served as Club President. Joining 4-H, he was also successful with raising a steer.
After high school, Barney moved from Parker to the Phoenix area where he attended ABC Trade
School becoming a certified welder and diesel mechanic. Barney also found for a brief time work as a Bellman for a hotel while in school. Following trade school, Barney worked for LDBS as a certified welder, but it wasn’t long until he decided to make the move back to his hometown.
BARNEY’S LOVES AND MARRIAGES
Barney would marry Amelia Laffoon in October 1968. Together they had three sons. Some years later Barney would marry Connie Svoboda whom he met while working for R.W. West & Sons, a John Deere franchise. They married in February 1984 and remained so, until her death in 1994. Through his friendship with Jimmy Hall as members of the BPO Elks Lodge, Barney was introduced to Jennifer Mounts. Barney pointed her out, and the rest is history. They were married in November 1996, and together are the parents of the three younger children, two sons and one daughter. His greatest joy has always been his children and grandchildren.
BARNEY’S WORK –
Barney worked briefly for Bruce Church Farms in the Parker Valley before deciding to attend ABC Trade School in Phoenix where he developed his interest as a welder and mechanic. Returning to Parker, he went to work for R.W. West & Sons, a John Deere franchise for 15 years before joining Southwest Gas where he retired after 30 years. During his time with Southwest Gas, he was one of only two company-wide District Service Techs. He was so good at his job, that upon his retirement the plaque recognition was to “Barney Aspa – Mr. Southwest Gas.” Not one to settle into retirement, Barney again decided to go back to work and took a position at the IHS - Parker Indian Health Center. Many of his friends and colleagues have expressed how much he is already missed.
BARNEY’S WALK IN HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH –
Barney served as a Ruling Elder of the Parker Valley Presbyterian Church circa 1970.
Barney was also known to attend Grace Assembly of God Church and Parker First Baptist Church, both of which he volunteered his time serving on church committees or volunteering his time providing lawn maintenance and improvement of the church grounds.
Barney may have been baptized early in his childhood, but it was in 2002 when as an adult he made the decision to re-dedicate his life to Christ and under the ministry of Pastor David Hill of the Harvest Mission Church. He was again baptized.
BARNEY’S COMMUNITY SERVICE –
Barney had such a firm commitment to doing his part at making the community he was raising his family in a better place. Barney served not once but twice as Exalted Ruler of Parker BPO Elks Lodge # 1929. Barney had served in each of the lodge offices and recently had begun contemplating taking on the official duties of “Tyler” the guardian of a lodge. Barney reflected that now he was an old coot, that would be a perfect position for him, as it was a position held for many years by someone he held in high regard, Henry Little. Suffice to say,
that time as the official “Tyler” was not to be, however, Barney will forever, un-officially be
the lodge “guardian.”
Barney served the Parker Volunteer Fire Department for 32 years. He first served as Fireman, quickly promoting to Captain of Engine # 2203. He was the Department’s training officer, making sure that on a two year training rotation the members received specialized training from knowledgeable sources such as Southwest Gas, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Metropolitan Water District, and Arizona Public Service. Barney also served for three years as Assistant Fire Chief under Chief Larry Starr. Probably some of his most rewarding times were when gifts for needy children were loaded on the fire truck, and he dressed up like Santa Claus to make delivery to the Child Protective Services annual Christmas event for the children. Jennifer stated, she didn’t think they ever personally saw the Southwest Gas annual bonus because Barney felt it more important to donate it locally for the use to purchase toys or baskets of food for those who had fallen on hard times.
Barney was a consummate volunteer. He coached when his kids were in Pop Warner Football;
he coached softball and baseball. He was known to feed ‘em and drive ‘em. Whatever was needed to be a successful season, Barney would dig deep to make sure it happened. It was just in recent years when he was again contacted about coaching a team of Little League Minors and without hesitation Barney stepped up to fill the need.
BARNEY’S HOBBIES –
Barney loved hunting, fishing, coaching, golfing, along with his service to his community.
Barney at some point in time he even learned how to make Chemehuevi cradle boards. Barney
enjoyed golf so much that it led to an every Saturday standing tee-time which he would move to Fridays during football season.
FAMILY SENTIMENTS OF THE MAN THEY LOVE –
Ryan shared that it is hard for him to accept that his Dad is no longer here. His memories are of trips fishing, desert racing, hunting, bbqs, and get togethers on the River when “my Dad partied with the cool spring mountain waters. Yes, it is true Dad drank.” One particular memory was a fishing trip taken to the White Mountains, touring that side of the State, and even visited a boarding house. "The lesson I learned that day, was to behave! My Dad was very caring in a stubborn way, he would do what he could even if he couldn’t. He loved so much when you would think otherwise." Ryan’s message to his Dad, “I am sorry I let my own stubbornness get in the way. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you. I love you! Please give Nana, Ronnie, and Connie a kiss for me.”
Robin’s most memorable time with his father was a trip they had taken to Phoenix to visit Connie in the hospital. Getting there the night before driving down central and all of a sudden Barney comes to a stop. “He looked at me and said son never come to the city without a full tank of gas.” Lost they had been driving around for three hours trying to locate their room. The next day Robin learned how to drive in the city and on the freeway at the age of 10 years old. What Robin admired most about his Dad was his love for his grandsons, and the passion Barney had for the game of golf.
Mykah’s favorite memory with his Dad was elk hunting near Flagstaff whether it was walking, driving, or playing in the snow. What Mykah admired most about his Dad was the respect his Dad got from people. "He was always a hard worker for the family. He knew how to have fun and always had a smile on his face. He loved all of us, even if we had acted up."
Kayla’s favorite memory with her Dad was when they would go to the aquariums with just the two of them sitting in front of the fish tanks for hours, while Mom and brothers would go ride the rides and look at other stuff. Her other memory of her Dad was when he got all the way to the Father/Daughter Dance before realizing he had left her at home. What Kayla admired about her Dad was that he was her best friend. He was one of the best people in her life. "He was focused and he would push us to accomplish what we wanted. Dad, was my hero.”
Jennifer shared that had it not been for Barney, she doesn’t know if she would have ever known God’s love for her. When Barney came into her life; he protected her, shielded her, and supported her with un-ending love and loyalty. As their relationship began to develop, they began attending the Parker First Baptist Church together during the time of Pastor Gary Harr’s ministry. Never having experienced structure in her life or the love of God, Jennifer began to have soul searching moments and one day she asked Janet Carlson, Sunday School teacher, “God would want us (Barney and Jennifer) to be married? “ Janet replied that she knew in time they would make the right decision and it was not her place to judge their relationship, that God was busy working out so many things in her life. Within a short while they did indeed marry. Jennifer always appreciated that conversation which garnered Janet much respect without her even knowing it.
As we mourn and reconcile ourselves on the passing of Barney, may we remind ourselves, only our heavenly Father knows “Our Season,” if we are true believers as Barney was, we should trust in God’s ultimate wisdom which is far greater than our own.
In closing the arrangements have been handled by the Parker Funeral Home. From Jennifer and all the children, they would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to those who have shared words and acts of kindness at this time of their loss and grief.
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