Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

Richard M. Barry, LaCrosse Wash., passed away at the young age of 75-years-old. He lost a hard-fought battle against Covid Pneumonia on Feb. 7, 2021, at Sacred Heart in Spokane, Wash.

Richard was born Jan. 21, 1946, in Colfax, Wash., to Archie and Mary Ann Barry. Richard's parents passed away in a plane crash in 1950. He and his siblings moved down to LaCrosse to live with his grandparents, Fred and Katie Wessleman. They raised Richard on the family farm where Richard and Lois currently live.

Richard graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1964, where he held the honor of being

class president. Once he graduated from high school, he went on to attend Spokane Community College and graduated with a degree in Auto Mechanics in 1966.

Richard married his high school sweetheart, Lois Scharpenberg in 1966. In 1967 they moved to LaCrosse to work on the family farm. Richard was a dedicated wheat farmer and cattle rancher for 54 years and lived the last 10 years with his grandson, Cody Bennett, who will continue to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Richard had a love for teaching his children and grandchildren how to drive truck, farm, work cattle and most of all engraved in them a hard work ethic. Richard loved his cattle, well fed and happy.

Richard's hobbies included golfing, hunting, trap-shooting, flying RC planes, playing cards and snowmobiling. Some of his favorite things to do were to take his sweetheart (Lucy) to the Pendleton Round Up, camping in Chewelah, going to the casino and dinner dates. One of his most cherished memories was going to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary, a gift that was given to Richard and Lois from their children. Spending time with his family was always Richard's highest priority. He loved doing that by camping with his family in the Blue Mountains, taking his kids and grandkids boating on the Snake River and spending the holidays with his family.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lois Barry of LaCrosse, Wash .; his children, Dena (Jim) Bennett, LaCrosse, Darin Barry, of LaCrosse, and Derick (Gladys) Barry with granddaughter-to-be, Spokane Valley, Wash .; grandson Cody (Morgan) Bennett, of LaCrosse, and great-grandson Caden Bennett of LaCrosse. Also surviving are his siblings, Sharon Weidrich of Spokane, Carol Henry-Crowell of Fort Worth, Texas, Jim (Diane) Barry of Spokane, and his favorite aunt Janet Parker of Spokane. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Archie and Mary Ann Barry, grandparents Fred and Katie Wessleman, mother and father-in-law, Carl and Eloise Sharpenberg, and a grandson, Trevor Bennett.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. at LaCrosse Cemetery with a celebration of life to follow at Jim and Dena Bennett's residence. A memorial has been chosen in honor of Richard to Children's Miracle Network. You can send donations to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital at 101 W. 8th Ave, Suite 4011-E, Spokane, WA 99204.

Richard's family and friends will always remember his routine night caps and his famous words of "one more." – We love you.