Joseph Barry Johnson passed away on March 25, 2024, at the age of 81, at Magnolia Place in Liberty, Texas. The family greatly appreciated the kindness and care from all, with special thanks to the Altus Hospice team.
Barry Johnson was born in Paxville, West Virginia, on August 28, 1942, to Roy & Pauline (Fields) Johnson. When Barry was 2 years old, his parents moved he and older brother Johnny to Texas. After a few moves within Texas, the family settled in Liberty, living on Cornell Street.
Barry received a gift from heaven when baby sister Paula was added to the family. Growing up he enjoyed hunting, fishing & the family in church on Sundays. The family belonged to the Liberty Church of Christ for over 40 years. Upon graduating from Liberty High School in 1960, he went to work as a United Insurance Agent.
In the summer of 1962, Barry met his future bride – Nell Cox of Dayton – while at The Pop’s Traveling Skating Rink. He approached her saying, “you are cute” and asked for a date. She allowed him to follow her home so he could meet her parents. The two were engaged by summer and married the following year on February 9, 1963.
After marriage he continued to work as an Insurance Agent for 15 years in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area. Barry and Nell with their first two children moved into the family home on Cornell Street in Liberty. Their family grew by adding two more children, thus having one son & three daughters. Later Barry went to work for the National Pipe & Tube Plant in Liberty for 10 years.
After layoffs at the plant, he went into business as a sole proprietor, “Johnson Resale & Used Book Shop” in the town of Cleveland within the Olde Security Flea Market. After the children all graduated, Barry and Nell purchased a new home in Cleveland. They were enjoying their shop business for about seven years before Barry started having health issues.
Barry is preceded in death by his parents, Roy “Shypoke” & Pauline (Fields) Johnson; Sister Paula (Johnson) Stauffer, Nephew Roy Adrian Johnson, and Great Nephew Randal Wood.
Left behind to cherish memories, his wife Carolyn Nell (Cox) Johnson of 61 years marriage; his son: “Bill” William Barry Johnson; daughters Christine Nell (Johnson-Hill) Beaubouef, Jolie Nell (Johnson) Peters (Ken); Sandy Nell (Johnson) Jones (Eugene); many grandchildren: Hollis Johnson (Megan), Ty Peters (Tricia), Pike Peters, Wylie Peters (Dana), Phillip Jones, Colton Hill, Gylliann Hill, Vada Peters (Samual), Kenna Johnson, Hazel Peters, Kinsie Johnson, Kimberly Beaubouef, Rachel Beaubouef, Holly Beaubouef-Hime; and precious great-grandbabies: Kyerstin, Jolene, Aiden, Theadora, Chloe, Silas, Zoee’, Rayna, Magdelena, Flynn, Khaleesi, Leia, Addelyn, Liam and Zuleye.
Visitation will be held on Saturday March 30, 2024, from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton, Texas. Funeral Services will begin at 3:00 pm with graveside service at Linney Cemetery in Dayton, Texas.