“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
Walther Barnett, 70, went peacefully to be with our Lord the morning of January 22, 2012 at Baylor University Medical Center surrounded by his wife, two daughters and son-in-law. He will forever be remembered by his loving wife of nearly 50 years Faye McDaniel Barnett, his beloved daughters Shelly Barnett Moss and Erica Barnett Ysbrand, his son-in-law Rodney Moss, and his treasured grandchildren Hannah, Ian, Olivia and Sophie Moss, and Ethan and Jaxie Ysbrand, along with countless nieces, nephews and friends who were blessed to have known him. He was the oldest of four children and is survived by two sisters, Judybeth Barnett and Chloeen Oney, as well as by his brother Paul Barnett.
He was born and raised in Sand Springs, Oklahoma where he attained the honor of Eagle Scout and graduated from Sand Springs High School where he happily attended his 50th high school reunion two years ago and his 70th birthday party in October. While attending Connors State College, he met his future wife, and they transferred to his pride and joy, Oklahoma State University and married on August 30, 1962. While working for Continental Emsco Oil Field Supply, he and his young family were transferred to Dallas in 1968 where he finished his degree at North Texas State University. After retiring from Continental Emsco in 1994, he excelled at his work as Lead Analyst at First American by helping to set national standards for Electronic Data Interchange; he took great pride in his work.
His greatest and proudest accomplishment was his family. He loved time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren through travelling, volunteering, going to sporting events, watching the children’s activities, and teaching all who would listen the history of Texas (especially the Alamo!) and the United States. Walther, or Papa as he was known, was the one who knew it all and could answer any question or find the answer instantly. He leaves a lasting legacy through all of them and through all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on January 30, 2012 at 4:00 PM at Turrentine, Jackson & Morrow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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Dubby.. wow it has been so .. much too long... family always meant the world to you... I remember when we were kids, and we used to come up for Christmas vacation.. I got my hands frozen in the snow...after sledding with you, Chlo, Bethie, and my sisters.. you rushed me to the house stuck my hands under hot water.... it really hurt...but it made it better.. all of those Christmas visits were special.. The last time I saw you and Faye was when the two of you put me on the train ..to go back home to Houston. My summer vacation was over. Your Shelley was only 9 months old then. I named my daughter Shelie Rena after your Shelley. Don't know if you ever new that or not...as the family had gotten so far apart by then. I am so sorry that we were not ever able to see each other again.. Your mom, your sisters, and your brother, kept us as up-to-date as possible. Just rest in peace, and know that you are loved. Your cousin, JudyAnn (Guynes) Lairson from Texas.. JudyAnn Guynes Lairson, May 8, 2012 I'll never forget meeting the beautiful couple, Faye and Walther Barnett. Faye was anxiously waiting for her husband in the waiting room at Baylor's Sammons Cancer Center as I was nervously waiting for my mom, Connie. Walther and my mom were both back behind that heavy door embarking on their radiation treatment journey. Faye and I began chatting and soon exchanged our experiences of supporting our loved ones through the journey of fighting cancer. Everyday for the next 5 weeks, Walther and my mom met outside of the the radiation room that they each had their treatment in. Faye and I had no idea, at the time, what the details were behind that door. Daily, around 2pm my mom would be coming out of her treatment and Walther would be waiting to go in for his. My mom would say to Walther, "I got it all warmed up for you, Walther!"...in the meantime, Faye and I were getting to know one another. As the weeks continued on, I had the pleasure of meeting Faye and Walther's granddaughter, Jaxie, who came up to the hospital with them and shined her beautiful light so bright...wow, we all sure needed that light! Walther's treatments ended sooner than my mom's and we were so excited for him. I'll never forget Walther's smiling face when he walked through those doors of his final radiation treatment as we all cheered him on. Walther sure made that long haul up to Baylor, so much more enjoyable. We looked forward to seeing his peaceful, smiling face everyday. My mom and I felt, and still do, a connection with Faye and Walther that we've never experienced with anyone else. While I didn't know Walther very long, I know, without a doubt, that he was a true man who brought loads of joy to his family and many people. I will never forget Walther and the impact he had on my mom while going through her cancer treatment. He encouraged her through his smiles and hugs to keep fighting the good fight. Bless you Walther! You are a man that I will never in my life, ever, forget! Much love to the Barnett Family! - Holly Reiser Beacom - Holly Reiser Beacom, January 30, 2012 "There is a sacredness in tears. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." Washington Irving (1783-1859) Walther cried easily; he was never ashamed to do so. I always thought it showed, not a mark of weakness, but of power as Irving so eloquently stated. Norena Faye Barnett, January 29, 2012 Faye, Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. I recall many times hearing you speak of your husband, Walther, even though I never had the privilege of meeting him. You shared such happy stories, filled with fun and laughter. I know you both must have had a wonderful life together. Thinking of you, Anne Anne Hopper, January 29, 2012 Steve and I will miss our ear friend Walther very much. He was a loyal friend, always ready to help. When Steve had his stroke, it was Walther who helped him recover by supporting him through weeks of intensive physical therapy. In my mind Walther will always be associated with good food. Walther loved to eat; many of the fun times I remember sharing with Walther took place in restaurants or dinning tables. his homemade ice cream was first class. I hope Walther has found some good barbecue in heaven. Margie Nancarrow, January 29, 2012 Walt and I became acquainted as we were opening HRC in Houston. He spent many hours assisting us in preparing to open that facility. He continued to assist us, and me in particular, until my retirement in 1992. I remember him as a dedicated employee of Continental-Emsco and a very patient person helping to solve any problem we had relating to computers or procedures. James W Dees, January 26, 2012 I will always remember Walt as the embodiment of a southern gentleman. He was kind, generous, loving, and patient. His love of his family, his County, and his Texas was unmistakable I will also remember the summer vacations spent with Walt and Faye. While travelling throughout the southern states, Walt was a wealth of information on whatever city or state we happened to be visiting at the time. I learned so much about Texas, New Orleans, Destin, Memphis, Natchez, Roaring River, Galveston, the State of Texas, and so much more. One image of Walt that I will always remember is of him fishing from the deck of the house on the canal in Galveston last summer and how excited his granddaughters got when he caught a fish. It was obvious how much joy his grandchildren gave him. My love and prayers go out to Faye, Shelly, Erica and their families. Barbara Tynes, January 26, 2012
