Father Daniel Ramsey Barfield

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Daniel Barfield Obituary

BARFIELD, FATHER DANIEL RAMSEY BARFIELD, S.J. died Saturday afternoon June 7, 2003 at the parish residence of St. Jude Church, Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he had been pastor since 1990. Though he recently had heart surgery from which he recovered, he died peacefully in his sleep. The son of D. R. Barfield Jr. and Lou Glen Barfield, he was born in Baton Rouge in 1930, and he graduated from Catholic High in Baton Rouge. He attended LSU 1947-1951, and was in the Air Force 1951-1953, serving in the U.S. and the Far East. He was in the Law School of Loyola University, New Orleans, before joining the Jesuits at Grand Coteau, La., in 1957. He did his philosophy and theology studies at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala, and St. Louis University, and was ordained a priest by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan in New Orleans in 1967. He carried an M.A. in English by studying at St. Louis University in summer sessions 1962-1968 and also studied at the University of London and Oxford. In 1978 he received couseling certification in Houston, where he was teaching at Strake Jesuit College Prep. until 1985, Father Barfield was a teacher and counselor at Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Jesuit High School New Orleans and Strake Jesuit College Prep in Houston. In 1985 he became pastor of Holy Family Church in Deming, NM, and in 1990 pastor of St. Jude's in Alamogordo. Father Barfield is survived by a sister and brother-In-law, Sally B. and Edwin A, Graves, of Baton Rouge, LA., a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas A. and Julie Barfield, also of Baton Rouge, LA. and Dr. William T. and Anita Barfield of Covington, LA.; fourteen nieces and nephews, and 21 grandnieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be nephews Allen Graves. Danny Graves, Tommy Graves, Billy Graves, Tim Barfield. Dr. Louis Barfield, Scott Barfield. Sam Barfield and Derrek Barfield. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. John Barfield Atkinson, Daniel R. Atkinson. Frank S. Atkinson. Sr., the Honorable Daniel Leblanc, Hart Dunbar, the Honorable Andre Trawick and Dr. Niles Guichet of Anaheim, California. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Jude's Alamogordo, NM. 11 AM Tuesday, June 10, by the Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, Bishop of Las Cruces, NM, on Thursday, June 12, 2003 a visitation was held at St. Aloysius Church, Baton Rouge, LA. from 9:00 until 10:30 AM followed by a Mass at 10:30 AM, Celebrated by Rev. John Morfin, pastor of St. John Vianney Church in Houston. Burial afterward at the Jesuit Cemetery, Grand Coteau, LA. SCHOEN FUNERAL HOME 3827 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 504-482-2111

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dallas Morning News on Jun. 13, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Barfield

Sponsored by Richard J. Rau, Jesuit -New Orleans, Class of 1973.

7 Entries

Don Gerz

June 4, 2020

Father Barfield was a great, great teacher and man. I was a student of his, and I was blessed to know him. - Don Gerz

Don Gerz

September 19, 2007

Fr. Barfield was the main reason I became an English teacher. I remember being in his class one afternoon. We were reading and acting out "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Fr. Barfield made it seem perfectly natural to think and speak through Shakespeare's characters. I was trying to do so when all of a sudden the whole universe of the English Renaissance opened up to my mind and being, and I could see everything. I could even see that there were things that I and none of us would ever see or prove. (That is the most important vision of all.) The year was 1964, and I was a 17-year old junior at Jesuit College Prep in Dallas. From that moment on, I wanted to be an English teacher so I could provide the intellectual and psychological environment for that gift to be given to other students. Everything I did while teaching literature, particularly Homer and Shakespeare, I did while thinking of Fr. Barfield's classroom. He was always on my mind, gliding down the halls of my awareness as he had at Jesuit in 1963-'64, some 43 years ago. Then, it was as though he moved on silent wheels under his cassock, straight-backed, with a serene and kind half-smile on his almost beatific face. I always wanted to know him better, but I did not want to disturb the tranquility and goodness he exuded. I just enjoyed enjoying it. I did ask him one time why he kept his back so straight and seemed to glide as he walked. He told me that he had hurt it seriously once. I asked, "Picking up something heavy, I suppose?" He replied, "Just a woodchip." I remember thinking at the time, "It's the small things that do us in." It was the "small" thing of death that did in a great soul, teacher, and pastor like Fr. Barfield. It will do us all in, great and small. I hope to see Fr. Barfield again, and I will pray prayers of thanks for what he gave me: the universe: past, present, and future...and especially what I cannot see or prove.

-- Don Gerz, a 1963-'64 Student of Fr. Daniel R. Barfield, S.J.

Don Gerz

September 19, 2007

I had been talking about Fr. Barfield just minutes before I found out about his death. He was the main reason I became an English teacher. I remember being in Fr. Barfield's class. We were reading and acting out "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Fr. Barfield made it seem perfectly natural to think and speak through Shakespeare's characters. I was trying to do so when all of a sudden the whole universe of the English Renaissance opened up to my mind and being, and I could see everything. I could even see that there were things that I and none of us would ever see or prove. (That is the most important vision of all.) The year was 1964, and I was a 17-year old junior at Jesuit College Prep in Dallas. From that moment on, I wanted to be an English teacher so I could provide the intellectual and psychological environment for that gift to be given to other students. Everything I did while teaching literature, particularly Homer and Shakespeare, I did while thinking of Fr. Barfield's classroom. He was always on my mind, gliding down the halls of my awareness as he had at Jesuit in 1963-'64, some 43 years ago. Then, it was as though he moved on silent wheels under his cassock, straight-backed, with a serene and kind half-smile on his almost beatific face. I always wanted to know him better, but I did not want to disturb the tranquility and goodness he exuded. I just enjoyed enjoying it. I did ask him one time why he kept his back so straight and seemed to glide as he walked. He told me that he had hurt it seriously once. I asked, "Picking up something heavy, I suppose?" He replied, "Just a woodchip." I remember thinking at the time, "It's the small things that do us in." It was the small thing of death that did in a great soul, teacher, and pastor like Fr. Barfield. It will do us all in, great and small. I hope to see Fr. Barfield again, and I will pray prayers of thanks for what he gave me: the universe: past, present, and future...and especially what I cannot see or prove. -- Don Gerz, a 1963-'64 Student of Fr. Daniel R. Barfield, S.J.

Bill Kelly

June 12, 2003

I had Fr. Bafield for, I believe, sophomore English. I thought he was a great teacher, but I'm sure I wasn't the only one in the class that thought him a bit demanding.

One day, during class, his back went out on him and he went to the floor, unable to do anything but lie flat on his back.

Although I now know he must have been in excruciating pain, he kept his sense of humor.

While lying there on the floor in front of the class, he said, "If any of you have been wanting to get even with me, this would be your opportunity."

Thanks for the memories, Father.

Rev. Donald A. Hawkins, S.J.

June 12, 2003

Dan was a mentor to me when I was a young scholastic, thirty-three years ago, teaching in New Orleans. Dan brought me to Baton Rouge to experience the gracious hospitality of his parents and family. Both of us shared that appreciation of things Southern. I had Dan "vest" me at my ordination. I teased him because he put my chasuble on backwards, but I wouldn't have changed things for the world. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be with Dan twice during his sabbatical. I am glad that I was able to join in the liturgies at Baton Rouge and Grand Coteau. I completely endorse Pete Morphin's sentiments and words.

Donald Averill Hawkins, S.J.

Richard Rau

June 12, 2003

I am very saddened to hear of Fr. Barfield's sudden passing. Not

only was he an oustanding Teacher and Administrator at Jesuit High School, he also had become a friend, counselor, and was an incredible role model for all of us. I was hoping he could have attended our 30-year class reunion this past weekend, and was hoping it was only because of his hectic schedule that he could not make it. I am sorry I did not keep in touch with him through the years, but thankful I had the blessing of knowing him and having been taught by him. Those of us who knew him, and even those who did not, have a powerful advocate in Heaven praying for all of us to make it through the rest of this life on earth. May we one day be re-united with him for all eternity...

Richard J. Rau

Jesuit-N.O Class of 1973

TOM B. PRICE, JR.

June 11, 2003

Father Barfield,

Thanks for the guidance, caring, and mentoring.

Tom

Class of '73

Jesuit High of NOLA

Go BlueJays!

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