Barry Lee Unruh

Our husband, father, and grandfather, Barry Lee Unruh, was born to Melvin Louie and Norma Jean (Unruh) Unruh on October 14, 1951 at Newton, Kansas. He passed away at age 68 on November 2, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS.

His early years were spent in Halstead, Kansas. He grew up as a farm boy. He and his brothers have many memories of taking care of the farm animals and the farming duties while his father worked as a day laborer. He attended and graduated from school in the Halstead Public School system.

At the age of 16, he responded to the Lords call to salvation and was baptized into the Church of God In Christ, Mennonite at Halstead, Kansas on March 12, 1967 officiated by Min Carl Dirks. His spiritual life over the years had some disappointments and struggles, but he finished with joy and the witness of the Spirit.

On April 18, 1971 he was joined in marriage to me, Ruth Fast at the Grace Congregation, Halstead, Kansas by Min Dean Becker. We experienced the joys and challenges of life for forty eight years. We welcomed five children into our home.

Shortly after our wedding, we went to the VS unit in Blacksburg, Virginia to begin his 1-W service at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Their time spent there was a special time in his life creating long lasting friendships and many special memories. In October of 1973, upon completing his 1-W service in Virginia, we moved to the Macon, MS area. He was interested in farming and the opportunities that were present there. He farmed together with his brother Daniel until around 1984. For several years he was invested in different agricultural endeavors making many friends in the agricultural community but also began to move into the construction industry. He enjoyed helping people design and draw new homes.  He became well known in construction circles and was conscientious in his work standards. In inconspicuous ways, he was a generous person in his work, congregation, and community.

We children remember Dad as hardworking and firm but we knew he loved us. He was a lover of song and would often get us children together to sing. We remember being at Grandpa Unruh’s and listening to Dad and his father and brothers singing together. He developed an interest in barbecuing and we and others enjoyed many delicious meals from his smoker! He had a special connection with each of his 17 grandchildren.

In March of this year, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Though he was determined to beat this disease, he submitted his will to God. In June, we as a family noticed a change taking place in Dad’s spirit. Open and broken, he came to a renewal of consecration, and his vows to God and the Church were reconfirmed. We children valued his daily morning encouragement and inspiration. We cherish the memory of a family gathering over Labor Day weekend with Dad in his new found freedom. His love and concern for us and his siblings, and his testimony that things of this earth had no value for him leave no doubt of his heavenly citizenship.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of Columbus, Mississippi; his children: Perry and Denise, of Grant, Nebraska; Leta and Jeremy Giesbrecht, of Hardinsburg, Indiana; Audrey and Randy Peaster, of Cole Camp, Missouri; Les and Lanae, of Brooksville, Mississippi; and Sara and Stephen Johnson, of Macon, Mississippi; along with 17 grandchildren. He also leaves behind his siblings: Daniel and Trula, of Gentry, Arkansas; Gordon, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; James and Regina, of Crawford, Mississippi; David, of Brooksville, Mississippi, and Jeanette, of Macon, Mississippi.

Sharing in his loss are Ruth’s family: Wilda and Marlo Becker, of Halstead, Kansas; Dona and Wilbur Wiggers, of Grifton, North Carolina; Jeanie and Dwight Mayeske, of Fredonia, Kansas; Rhonda and Jesse Koehn, of Tonasket, Washington; Lynwood and Shirley Fast, of Murray, Kentucky; and Marla and Galen Friesen, of Halstead, Kansas.

Preceding him in death were his parents and parents-in-law.

A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, November 5, 2019 at Brooksville Mennonite Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the church Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Oakwood Manor, P.O. Box 325, Brooksville, MS 39739. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.