Ollie O. Barney

Ollie O. Barney Ollie was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 23, 1919, the eldest son of Ollie and Hazel Barney. He left us on November 16, 2010 at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Beryl; his three younger brothers, Homer, Alvin and Richard; his stepson, Damon Patton and his grandson, Peter Patton, Jr. He is survived by his stepson, Peter (Naomi) Patton of Edmond, OK; his stepdaughter, Danni (John) Coalter of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Sherry Caldwell (Greg Roth) of Green Valley, AZ; his sister-in-law, Betty Jo Barney of Rio Rico, AZ, many cousins, nieces, nephews, 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Ollie grew up on his father's ranch in the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson. He and his mother and brothers lived in tents along the San Pedro River, seven miles below the ranch house, in order for the boys to attend the grade school in Cascabell during the school year. Later the county provided home schooling that allowed Ollie to finish the equivalent of 8th grade. However, he was an avid reader of non-fiction and was self-educated on many subjects. Ollie was one of the fortunate few that was able to live most of his life doing what he loved with people he wanted to be with him. He was a ranch kid, a cowboy, a soldier, a rancher, a carpenter, a husband and father, a construction company owner, a hunter and a hunting guide. With the exception of his Army service, he lived all of his life in Arizona. During WWII he served with the Bushmasters, the 158th Regimental Combat Team, in the South Pacific. He was drafted in January 1941 and served five years, 27 months of which was in jungle warfare combat. He earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with three bronze stars) plus other awards and citations. Ollie's hunting trips took him to many places in the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Poland. As a guide, he hunted primarily in Arizona and Northern Mexico. He was a Life Member of the Safari Club International. Ollie always claimed to have been born under a lucky star. He often said that a lucky man would have one good woman, one good horse and one good dog in his lifetime and he had had all three. Ollie's years were truly enriched by his many good friends who shared his way of life and his love of life. The family is truly grateful to the VA Medical Centers in Green Valley and Tucson for their care and compassion during Ollie's last months, especially the gentle caregivers in the VA Hospice Unit. A Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at the GREEN VALLEY MORTUARY, 18754 S. La Canada Drive, Sahuarita, AZ on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Animal League of Green Valley, 1600 W. Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, AZ 85614 are appreciated.