Raymond Barber

Wendell Raymond Barber was born June 8, 1942 to Lenora Ellen Panter and Wendell Phillips Barber in Murray, Utah. He passed away May 18, 2021 at Castleview Hospital in Price, Utah. He later became a big brother to his beautiful sister Lynn Elison. Ray spent his life having adventures, sharing the gift of music, and studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He met his beautiful eternal companion, LeAnna Carol Stevens, while studying to be a machinist at the Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was studying to be a seamstress and fashion designer.

LeAnna was serving on the dance committee when Ray showed up with his accordion to audition. That’s where their story started. Mom would take cookies to the metal shop for him. “She chased him till he caught her.” (Matt Ray Barber, May, 2021)

Dad had a very special experience when asking the Lord if he should marry LeAnna and sincerely believed that they had made that promise to each other before they came to earth.

He loved her so much he even took her with him to meet with the stake president when the stake president called him on a mission. LeAnna wore his engagement ring and waited for him while he served a faithful mission in the East Central States Mission in Louisville, Kentucky.

While Ray was serving the Lord in the mission field, LeAnna served diligently in the temple and spent quite a bit of time with his folks waiting faithfully. He returned home on November 7, 1963, they were then married December 5, 1963, exactly four weeks later in the Salt Lake City Temple. Ray’s parents were also sealed November 25, 1963.

They continued their adventures moving all over the United States with Ray’s job with J.C. Penny’s as he worked to support his big, growing family; most times working two jobs from dawn till dusk to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. They would have eight children, born throughout the United States: Alan Ray Barber, Wendy Barber Grant (Carter), Kim Barber Watson, Glen Ray Barber, Lori Barber Martinsen, Chet Ray Barber (Rachael), Matt Ray Barber (Jill), and Mark Ray Barber (Bonnie).

As his children, we honor him for his testimony of the Gospel that he instilled in each of us, along with a strong work ethic and a love of music.

Ray was always studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. You would find him with a book, a pen, a ruler, and a highlighter. As he read and studied, he would underline, highlight and write in the margins. The collection of books he had done this to through the years was immense.

Ray played the accordion, the guitar and some piano. Even this past year or two at the age of 77-78 he purchased additional instruments and has been practicing and having jam sessions with his son-in-law, Carter.

With the many moves Ray and LeAnna made during their marriage, their strong testimonies touched many people’s lives. Many people have reached out to express what a great man he was and how he influenced them for good.

Ray leaves behind his sweet wife LeAnna; eight children; 35 grandchildren, Josh, Preston, Jessica, Dallin, Cassie, Chris Rachelle Holly Tracy, Levi, Chris, Alex, Chace, Dakota, Alexis, Isac, Aabrey, Emma, Katelynn, Brizzbin, Mellaina, Carlie, Kathan, Kyler, Caila, James, Austin, Anna, Braxton, Arabella, Liam, Ryker, Samantha, Cameron, Jacob, Savannah and Kiera; 12 great-grandchildren, Finley, Thea, Logan, Azalea, Amelia, Emaline, Trias, Oakland, Ash and Milo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two grandsons, Alex Barber and David Preston Grant.

Dad, we love you and you will be sorely missed until we see you!

Funeral service, Saturday, May 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m., Wellington Stake Center (935 East Main Street, Wellington, Utah) where the family will receive friends beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will then take place on Monday, May 24, 2021, 2:30 p.m., Valley View Cemetery (4391 West 4100 South), West Valley, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.