Larry Barkley

Larry Wayne Barkley, 81, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at his home in Ignacio, Colo. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. Per Mr. Barkley’s request, no services will be held.

Mr. Barkley was born April 16, 1931, in Ellensburg, Wash., the son of Barney and Gertrude (Heywood) Barkley. Mr. Barkley grew up and attended schools in the Washington state area. After high school graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Alaska for four years. While there, he met MJ Ferguson and they were married in Anchorage in 1959. Their son Cory was born in Fairbanks and then the family moved from Alaska to Nevada. Their next son, Steven, was born in Carson City.

Mr. Barkley was a lifelong truck driver. He was employed by special carrier companies for more than 30 years after calling La Plata County home. He took loads all over the United States and enjoyed all the types of splendorous scenery. But it was not the views that were interesting; it was some of the loads. He transported everything from missile parts, a 152-foot metal beam to a New Mexico correctional facility, to an entire escorted rig full of damaged money going to Denver to be disposed of! And all the while, Mr. Barkley was an avid reader of Louis L'Amor novels and he enjoyed watching old Western movies. He recently was a gate guard working here in La Plata County. His daughter-in-law and son said, “He was easy-going laid back old fart and will be missed.”

He is survived by Mary Jeanette "MJ" Barkley (spouse) of Ignacio, Steven (Rose) Barkley (son and daughter-in-law) of Ignacio, Cory Barkley (son) of Ignacio, and Jim (Lois) Barkley (brother and siste-in-law) of California, Charlene Squires (niece) of Washington and other relatives.