John Barron Bremner

1936 - 2012

John Barron Bremner

Iowa City

John Barron Bremner, whose lifelong career at Coe and Cornell Colleges touched the lives of many, died on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at home in Iowa City. He was 75. Though ill with cancer for far too long, Barron lived every moment fully and with an intense love of life, family and his many, many friends.

Barron was born April 6, 1936, in Knob Lick, Missouri, to parents Noel and Bertha Marie (Bess) Bremner. He moved to Iowa with his family in 1943 and graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1954. Barron pursued and found success in football and wrestling at the University of Iowa. Barron was a college educator at Coe College and Cornell College for 42 years, firmly believing in the value of athletic experiences in building individuals of strong character. In 2001, Coe College created the annual "Barron Bremner Outstanding Athlete Award" in honor of Barron's many years of outstanding service to the college, its students and the community. In 2011, Coe and Cornell established "The Bremner Cup," an all-sport traveling trophy in honor of Barron and his 42 years of service with both colleges.

Barron married Elizabeth "Bette" (Bates) on August 9, 1961. Always celebrating the abundance in life, they enjoyed a family of six children. After 29 years of marriage, Bette preceded him in death in 1990. He married Virginia "Ginne" (Fristedt) on December 16, 1994, adding in countless ways to both the family and their shared fun.

In addition to his wife, Ginne, he is survived by five children and their spouses: Barbara Bremner and Peter Stevenson of Des Moines; William Bremner and Lynn (Klinge) of Minneapolis; Brenda (Bremner) Clark and Dr. Jeff Clark of Cedar Falls; Dr. Rebecca Bremner and Matthew Pigg of Portland, OR; and Dr. Barron Bremner and his wife Britt (Skogman) of Des Moines. He is also survived by stepson Steven McLeran and Laura (McComas) of North Liberty. Known as "Papa" to them all, Barron is survived by 16 grandchildren: Gabriel and Xavier Stevenson; Samantha, Madeline and Abigail Bremner; Gabriel and Jenna Clark; Perry Henderson; Sabine, Henry and Eleanor Pigg; Maclain, Kylie and Tatum Bremner; Lucas and Samuel McLeran. Additionally, Barron is survived by two brothers and a sister: Dr. Robert Bremner of Cedar Falls, Rear Admiral Bruce Bremner of Colorado Springs and Elizabeth (Bremner) Isaac of New Virginia. Barron was preceded in death by his wife Bette in 1990, his daughter Elizabeth Noel Bremner in 1992, and his brother Dr. George W. "Bill" Bremner in 2007.

Barron was larger than life. He touched the lives and shaped the futures of countless students and athletes over the years. He has left the world a much greater place and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A public celebration of Barron's life will be held Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m. in Sinclair Auditorium at Coe College. A reception will follow at Coe's Gage Memorial Union. Friends may, if they wish, make a memorial gift to Coe College, Cornell College, Iowa City Hospice or, as Barron suggested some time ago, "give a double-dip ice cream cone to a child."

On line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com