Hyrum Jay Barney Obituary (1985

Our dear son, brother, father, and uncle Hyrum Jay Barney completed his earthly journey September 4, 2014 in South Jordan, Utah and is now starting his second journey with his Heavenly Father and all his relatives who preceded him in death especially his Grandpa Barney who loved him greatly. Hyrum was born August 4, 1985 in Payson, Utah and is the son of proud parents Jay K. and Carol A. Tuttle Barney. Hyrum is the youngest of four children and is the only boy with three older sisters who have looked after their little baby brother since the time of his arrival into this world until the very last days! No love has been greater than the bond in which these four children have formed. Our little boy grew up his first couple of years in Springville. When he started to crawl and walk both legs were "bow legged" to the degree his big toes touched end to end. Metal braces were made which attached to the bottom of his little shoes and could be adjusted over time. We thought he'd never be able to walk, but not Hyrum. He figured out very quickly how to pivot on each bolt which held the rod to his shoe and travel around all the furniture. From this experience Hyrum grew his mechanical talents and was never afraid to "tinker" with anything. The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada about the time Hyrum was starting preschool and elementary school. Hyrum developed his "social butterfly" skills. Friends his age and even adults found Hyrum's social ability to communicate on all levels exciting. One time Hyrum came up missing. Mom franticly called all his friends in our neighborhood. She finally called one friend who lived across a busy boulevard and his mother said, "Oh yes, Hyrum is here playing with Eric and talking with me." From this, the family knew Hyrum could not be held down! After four years, the family moved back to Utah settling to Pleasant Grove where Hyrum would call home for the rest of his life. He went to Grovecrest Elementary, Pleasant Grove Junior High, and then onto Pleasant Grove Senior High School graduating from the American High School in Chicago for home schooling his last year. Hyrum loved the outdoors and anything nature related which meant he didn't really care for the formally educated or the white collar work environment. He hated to be tied down to rules and processes for the modern urban man. Hyrum loved Scouting and progressed from the Cub Scouts into the Scouts achieving the rank of Life Scout with enough merit badges to qualify for his Eagle Scout. In fact, he had enough badges to receive a couple of Eagle Palm Leaves. He fell in love with camping whether it was summer or winter. During the winter months his scout leaders at the age of twelve taught him how to stay completely dry by creating what is called a "Burrito Bag." It's a unique process of using plastic cloth and shaping it into a burrito around one's sleeping bag. After graduation, Hyrum always said he was leaving the State of Utah. One day he announced he and his buddy was leaving on a plane to Florida to start a new life there. After two or so days his friends left him all alone and for the first time he was scared and called his dad for help. He was amazed that on the other side of the country his father could Google map and see where he was at and how to give him directions to the nearest Western Union office so he could collect enough money to fly back home; encouraging his son to hang in there until he made it back to Utah. Hyrum had many friends on this earth both as a child and as an adult. Three however, stand out as ones that helped him through thick and thin and in return he helped them as well. First, there is Travis from Pleasant Grove who was Hyrum's best friend from childhood on. Next, there is Teddy from Pleasant Grove who was also his best friend from his latter school years on. Finally, there is John from Orem who was also his best friend as an adult. They never question Hyrum's motives or actions, but stood by him as a "true friend!" They laughed with him and certainly cried with him. These three friends helped Hyrum throughout his life and was a tremendous influence upon him. Thank you for being his brother! Hyrum loved his family especially his little nephews and nieces. He would have fun on their level of play whether it was dressing up for Halloween or Christmas, family parties which had family games and contests. One of his favorite holidays was the Fourth of July. He was always fascinated with fire and with anything fire related such as fireworks. He would entertain the family with a variety firework displays which involved his human body and the piece of fire. Hyrum had a way about himself with children which helped them warm right up to him. He even has one nephew who emulates him with the same likes and desires in life! The greatest gift Hyrum gave to this world is his two little angels: Frankie and Andie Barney. He loved these girls with all his heart and tried to show it and be the best father he knew how! No matter how bad his day was - when those precious spirits entered his room his personality lit up with love and compassion! The last couple of years, Hyrum built a lasting relationship with his family by enjoying nature to its fullest. He would go on long bike rides on Utah trails; hike the various canyons like Little and Big Cottonwood and American Fork especially up on top of Mineral Basin where George Tying an old miner was buried. He also liked the desert and rock hounding at Topaz Mountain, Pelican Point and other unique spots finding rock deposits and collecting prized gems. He loved to four wheel drive whether it was in a Jeep or on a "buggy." When he owned his Jeep, he came home one day and asked his mother, "Will you please help me turn the inside of my Jeep into a Shagmobile? She asked, what in the world is this? It's where you line the dash, steering wheel, and the headliner with the thickest fake fur one can buy." After some convincing, mom said yes, and the two of them created several patterns and bought several yards of material - cutting it to each pattern. To make everything stay, they had to glue the lining to the existing material. Everyone had their doubts, but between mom and Hyrum they made it into a masterpiece of art - Hyrum's Shagmobile. Hyrum had a quote as given by one of his best friend John. "Buddy, you have a strange relationship with your mom as you could tell any joke to her with both of you enjoying it with a laugh and a smile." One time, Hyrum wanted to see a certain movie at the theaters so he invited his mom as a movie companion. The movie wasn't parent friendly because she was the only older person or "mom" in the showroom. Imagine this "odd couple" in a theater. They didn't care. They laughed all the way home! Hyrum could watch any movie and have it memorized in short order so the next time we watch it he was spot on for mimicking the words. He loved the Goonies and always wanted to go to Astoria, Oregon, but never made it there. He loved Dennis Rodman from the Chicago Bulls and Jamaican music especially Bob Marley. His latest interest was the "Steam Punk Era" with all its Victorian Age clothing which included gears, top hats, and jeweler glasses. Hyrum leaves behind his parents Jay K and Carol A Tuttle Barney of Pleasant Grove, Utah; three sisters and brother-in-laws: Keturah & (James) Turner of West Jordan, Utah; Angela & (Scott) Johnston of South Jordan, Utah; Charlene & (Van) Peynetsa of Lehi, Utah; and two daughters Frankie and Andie Barney both of South Jordan, Utah and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Grandpa and Grandma Barney & Grandpa and Grandma Tuttle both from Springville, Utah. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Timpanogos Stake Center, 795 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.