Long time Tollhouse and Clovis resident Wally Barcus passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at the age of 90.
Wally came to Fresno from North Dakota on a football scholarship to Fresno State College in 1935, after setting the North Dakota State record in the 100 yard dash. Wally graduated in 1939, with a degree in education. He went to work for Lockheed and later was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent time in Manilla and Japan as an education specialist.
After the army, Wally started his 31 year career in education as a principal in Raisin City. He came to Tollhouse in 1948, as teaching principal at Sierra Elementary School and stayed until his retirement in 1977. During those 29 years, Wally served as a teacher, coach, band and choir director, principal, and superintendent. He was an active member of the Sierra High Boosters Club, and the Church of Tollhouse.
Those who knew Wally knew that he loved people. He had a kind and gentle spirit and never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved to hang out in the staff room, meet friends for coffee, and attend any and all sporting events. He was a member and officer of Phi Delta Kappa, the Fresno State Alumni Association, and the Fresno County Schools Association. He served on the Fresno County Grand Jury and was a member of the Clovis Cemetery Board for 26 years. He and his wife, Florence, were active members of the People's Church and enjoyed traveling with the Active Adults.
Wally is preceded in death by his wife Florence and his son Michael of Lodi. He is survived by daughter, Nancy of Texas; sons, Bob of Fresno and Brad of Clovis; grandchildren, Tracy Sellers, Chuck Thomas, Doug Barcus, Jason Barcus, Jeff Barcus, Joseph Barcus, Christina Barcus, Haley Barcus; and five great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought many hours of joy to his later years.
A Memorial Service will be held at the People's Church on Friday, April 11, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, Wally requested that any donations be made to the Sierra Elementary School Library.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 4/9/2008.
******************************************
The following information was provided by his daughter Nancy.
Wallace Frazier Barcus (my father) was the youngest of nine children born to George and Nora Courtney Barcus. Wally was born June 3, 1917 in Mohall, North Dakota, growing upon the family farm. He attended the Renville County Elementary School and graduated from Williston High School in June 1935.
During high School Dad had earned both a football scholarship to Fresno State College in California and a track scholarship to Iowa University. California won out as his decision and he and his older brother Earl left the farmlands of North Dakota in their Model T Ford the summer of 1935.
Dad graduated from Fresno State in June 1939 with a degree in education. That same year, working part time as an usher at Hardy's Theater, he met fellow employee, Euleene Bush whom he married in 1940. He went to work for Lockheed in Burbank California for awhile then was transferred to their location in Belfast Ireland where he worked for almost two years. Upon his return home Dad was drafted into the army in the spring of 1945 doing his basic training at Camp Roberts in Southern California, then on to Manila and Japan.
Before their divorce in 1949 Wally and Euleene had two children: Michael and Nancy.
Back in the states, and a civilian again, Dad began his 31 year career in the field of eduction and school administration.
Dad remarried in 1950 to Florence Vetter. They had one child, Brad, born on their 9th wedding anniversary. Dad was also the stepfather to Florence's son Bob.
Dad passed away from complications from a fall. Waiting to meet him in heaven on the day of his passing were his parents, his eight siblings Sylvia, Russell, Eula, Rachael, Kenneth, Georgia, Virgil and Earl, his oldest son Michael and his wife Florence.
"And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Eccl 12:7
Your flirtatious smile, great sense of humor, and loving heart will be missed by all who knew you.
With loving thoughts and sadness,
Nancy
Wally came to Fresno from North Dakota on a football scholarship to Fresno State College in 1935, after setting the North Dakota State record in the 100 yard dash. Wally graduated in 1939, with a degree in education. He went to work for Lockheed and later was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent time in Manilla and Japan as an education specialist.
After the army, Wally started his 31 year career in education as a principal in Raisin City. He came to Tollhouse in 1948, as teaching principal at Sierra Elementary School and stayed until his retirement in 1977. During those 29 years, Wally served as a teacher, coach, band and choir director, principal, and superintendent. He was an active member of the Sierra High Boosters Club, and the Church of Tollhouse.
Those who knew Wally knew that he loved people. He had a kind and gentle spirit and never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved to hang out in the staff room, meet friends for coffee, and attend any and all sporting events. He was a member and officer of Phi Delta Kappa, the Fresno State Alumni Association, and the Fresno County Schools Association. He served on the Fresno County Grand Jury and was a member of the Clovis Cemetery Board for 26 years. He and his wife, Florence, were active members of the People's Church and enjoyed traveling with the Active Adults.
Wally is preceded in death by his wife Florence and his son Michael of Lodi. He is survived by daughter, Nancy of Texas; sons, Bob of Fresno and Brad of Clovis; grandchildren, Tracy Sellers, Chuck Thomas, Doug Barcus, Jason Barcus, Jeff Barcus, Joseph Barcus, Christina Barcus, Haley Barcus; and five great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought many hours of joy to his later years.
A Memorial Service will be held at the People's Church on Friday, April 11, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, Wally requested that any donations be made to the Sierra Elementary School Library.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 4/9/2008.
******************************************
The following information was provided by his daughter Nancy.
Wallace Frazier Barcus (my father) was the youngest of nine children born to George and Nora Courtney Barcus. Wally was born June 3, 1917 in Mohall, North Dakota, growing upon the family farm. He attended the Renville County Elementary School and graduated from Williston High School in June 1935.
During high School Dad had earned both a football scholarship to Fresno State College in California and a track scholarship to Iowa University. California won out as his decision and he and his older brother Earl left the farmlands of North Dakota in their Model T Ford the summer of 1935.
Dad graduated from Fresno State in June 1939 with a degree in education. That same year, working part time as an usher at Hardy's Theater, he met fellow employee, Euleene Bush whom he married in 1940. He went to work for Lockheed in Burbank California for awhile then was transferred to their location in Belfast Ireland where he worked for almost two years. Upon his return home Dad was drafted into the army in the spring of 1945 doing his basic training at Camp Roberts in Southern California, then on to Manila and Japan.
Before their divorce in 1949 Wally and Euleene had two children: Michael and Nancy.
Back in the states, and a civilian again, Dad began his 31 year career in the field of eduction and school administration.
Dad remarried in 1950 to Florence Vetter. They had one child, Brad, born on their 9th wedding anniversary. Dad was also the stepfather to Florence's son Bob.
Dad passed away from complications from a fall. Waiting to meet him in heaven on the day of his passing were his parents, his eight siblings Sylvia, Russell, Eula, Rachael, Kenneth, Georgia, Virgil and Earl, his oldest son Michael and his wife Florence.
"And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Eccl 12:7
Your flirtatious smile, great sense of humor, and loving heart will be missed by all who knew you.
With loving thoughts and sadness,
Nancy
Long time Tollhouse and Clovis resident Wally Barcus passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at the age of 90.
Wally came to Fresno from North Dakota on a football scholarship to Fresno State College in 1935, after setting the North Dakota State record in the 100 yard dash. Wally graduated in 1939, with a degree in education. He went to work for Lockheed and later was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent time in Manilla and Japan as an education specialist.
After the army, Wally started his 31 year career in education as a principal in Raisin City. He came to Tollhouse in 1948, as teaching principal at Sierra Elementary School and stayed until his retirement in 1977. During those 29 years, Wally served as a teacher, coach, band and choir director, principal, and superintendent. He was an active member of the Sierra High Boosters Club, and the Church of Tollhouse.
Those who knew Wally knew that he loved people. He had a kind and gentle spirit and never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved to hang out in the staff room, meet friends for coffee, and attend any and all sporting events. He was a member and officer of Phi Delta Kappa, the Fresno State Alumni Association, and the Fresno County Schools Association. He served on the Fresno County Grand Jury and was a member of the Clovis Cemetery Board for 26 years. He and his wife, Florence, were active members of the People's Church and enjoyed traveling with the Active Adults.
Wally is preceded in death by his wife Florence and his son Michael of Lodi. He is survived by daughter, Nancy of Texas; sons, Bob of Fresno and Brad of Clovis; grandchildren, Tracy Sellers, Chuck Thomas, Doug Barcus, Jason Barcus, Jeff Barcus, Joseph Barcus, Christina Barcus, Haley Barcus; and five great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought many hours of joy to his later years.
A Memorial Service will be held at the People's Church on Friday, April 11, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, Wally requested that any donations be made to the Sierra Elementary School Library.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 4/9/2008.
******************************************
The following information was provided by his daughter Nancy.
Wallace Frazier Barcus (my father) was the youngest of nine children born to George and Nora Courtney Barcus. Wally was born June 3, 1917 in Mohall, North Dakota, growing upon the family farm. He attended the Renville County Elementary School and graduated from Williston High School in June 1935.
During high School Dad had earned both a football scholarship to Fresno State College in California and a track scholarship to Iowa University. California won out as his decision and he and his older brother Earl left the farmlands of North Dakota in their Model T Ford the summer of 1935.
Dad graduated from Fresno State in June 1939 with a degree in education. That same year, working part time as an usher at Hardy's Theater, he met fellow employee, Euleene Bush whom he married in 1940. He went to work for Lockheed in Burbank California for awhile then was transferred to their location in Belfast Ireland where he worked for almost two years. Upon his return home Dad was drafted into the army in the spring of 1945 doing his basic training at Camp Roberts in Southern California, then on to Manila and Japan.
Before their divorce in 1949 Wally and Euleene had two children: Michael and Nancy.
Back in the states, and a civilian again, Dad began his 31 year career in the field of eduction and school administration.
Dad remarried in 1950 to Florence Vetter. They had one child, Brad, born on their 9th wedding anniversary. Dad was also the stepfather to Florence's son Bob.
Dad passed away from complications from a fall. Waiting to meet him in heaven on the day of his passing were his parents, his eight siblings Sylvia, Russell, Eula, Rachael, Kenneth, Georgia, Virgil and Earl, his oldest son Michael and his wife Florence.
"And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Eccl 12:7
Your flirtatious smile, great sense of humor, and loving heart will be missed by all who knew you.
With loving thoughts and sadness,
Nancy
Wally came to Fresno from North Dakota on a football scholarship to Fresno State College in 1935, after setting the North Dakota State record in the 100 yard dash. Wally graduated in 1939, with a degree in education. He went to work for Lockheed and later was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent time in Manilla and Japan as an education specialist.
After the army, Wally started his 31 year career in education as a principal in Raisin City. He came to Tollhouse in 1948, as teaching principal at Sierra Elementary School and stayed until his retirement in 1977. During those 29 years, Wally served as a teacher, coach, band and choir director, principal, and superintendent. He was an active member of the Sierra High Boosters Club, and the Church of Tollhouse.
Those who knew Wally knew that he loved people. He had a kind and gentle spirit and never had an unkind word for anyone. He loved to hang out in the staff room, meet friends for coffee, and attend any and all sporting events. He was a member and officer of Phi Delta Kappa, the Fresno State Alumni Association, and the Fresno County Schools Association. He served on the Fresno County Grand Jury and was a member of the Clovis Cemetery Board for 26 years. He and his wife, Florence, were active members of the People's Church and enjoyed traveling with the Active Adults.
Wally is preceded in death by his wife Florence and his son Michael of Lodi. He is survived by daughter, Nancy of Texas; sons, Bob of Fresno and Brad of Clovis; grandchildren, Tracy Sellers, Chuck Thomas, Doug Barcus, Jason Barcus, Jeff Barcus, Joseph Barcus, Christina Barcus, Haley Barcus; and five great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought many hours of joy to his later years.
A Memorial Service will be held at the People's Church on Friday, April 11, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, Wally requested that any donations be made to the Sierra Elementary School Library.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 4/9/2008.
******************************************
The following information was provided by his daughter Nancy.
Wallace Frazier Barcus (my father) was the youngest of nine children born to George and Nora Courtney Barcus. Wally was born June 3, 1917 in Mohall, North Dakota, growing upon the family farm. He attended the Renville County Elementary School and graduated from Williston High School in June 1935.
During high School Dad had earned both a football scholarship to Fresno State College in California and a track scholarship to Iowa University. California won out as his decision and he and his older brother Earl left the farmlands of North Dakota in their Model T Ford the summer of 1935.
Dad graduated from Fresno State in June 1939 with a degree in education. That same year, working part time as an usher at Hardy's Theater, he met fellow employee, Euleene Bush whom he married in 1940. He went to work for Lockheed in Burbank California for awhile then was transferred to their location in Belfast Ireland where he worked for almost two years. Upon his return home Dad was drafted into the army in the spring of 1945 doing his basic training at Camp Roberts in Southern California, then on to Manila and Japan.
Before their divorce in 1949 Wally and Euleene had two children: Michael and Nancy.
Back in the states, and a civilian again, Dad began his 31 year career in the field of eduction and school administration.
Dad remarried in 1950 to Florence Vetter. They had one child, Brad, born on their 9th wedding anniversary. Dad was also the stepfather to Florence's son Bob.
Dad passed away from complications from a fall. Waiting to meet him in heaven on the day of his passing were his parents, his eight siblings Sylvia, Russell, Eula, Rachael, Kenneth, Georgia, Virgil and Earl, his oldest son Michael and his wife Florence.
"And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Eccl 12:7
Your flirtatious smile, great sense of humor, and loving heart will be missed by all who knew you.
With loving thoughts and sadness,
Nancy
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