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Robert Barclay Obituary
July 4, 1944 - March 19, 2025
Known for his patriotism and love of country, we announce the passing of Robert Douglas Barclay on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Fittingly, Bob was born on Independence Day, 1944 in Charlottesville, VA. He was raised between New York City, Princeton, NJ, and the rural family farm in Rapidan, VA. Bob attended the Lawrenceville School and matriculated at Washington and Lee University from which he graduated in 1966.
During his summers, Bob trained at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA, and officially joined the United States Marine Corps on July 1,1966 as a young second Lieutenant. At the height of the Vietnam war, he attended Basic School Quantico and the US Army Artillery and Missile School in Fort Sill, Alabama. As a young first lieutenant, he shipped off to Vietnam in 1967 and for the first 19 months fought in Cam Lo, Gio Lina, Con Thein, and King Fisher where he served as a forward artillery observer, calling in artillery rounds on our enemy. On his return to the United States in early 1969, he taught military operations to new Marines at the Basic School in Quantico.
On June 29, 1974, Bob married the love of his life, Luena Lemieux Barclay. Bob is survived by his wife, Luena; their daughter, Elizabeth R. Beacham; granddaughter, Ava Marie Beacham; sister, Gale Barclay Seddon; and nephew, John Barclay Sims.
Bob had a very successful career in business as the founder and principal of a sales and marketing agency in the commercial building industry. His love of country and the United States Marine Corps allowed him in retirement to serve at the United States Marine Corps Museum as a Volunteer Docent. His weekly trips with family and friends to the Iwo Jima memorial service in Arlington to show his respect for his country and the Marine Corps were an important part of his life. Thankfully, he shared it with many.
Captain Barclay set a standard as a patriot, husband, father, and friend for which we should all be thankful. We will miss him, his love of life, his straightforward and limitless energy, his integrity, and his loyalty to all.
There will be a burial and memorial service at Quantico National Cemetery on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., or in Marine Lingo, 14:30.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (www.marineheritage.org or 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle VA 22172).
Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Barclay
1 Entry
Betty Sizemore
March 31, 2025
I only knew Bob as a fellow resident of my husband, another Bob, at Morningside House.
Luena, I remember particularly the special recognition and reception you gave to the residents at Morningside who were veterans. You worked very hard to arrange everything and were so attentive to everyone there.
My sincere condolences to you and your family in your loss.
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