Clee Barney

Annabella, Utah

Our precious and valiant husband, daddy and grandpa, Clee George Barney, 77, was welcomed home into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on May 31, 2013. He was courageous to the end after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Clee was born the youngest son of Freeman Ray and Annie Almina Barney in Monroe on October 1, 1935. He was a sweet and mischievous boy who loved his dog "Shep". His musical career began as a boy when he sang "Old Shep" on the radio.

As a young man, he loved the out-of-doors, his guitar and music and was a champion boxer in school. He met a beautiful girl, Diana Riddle, fell in love and married on December 27, 1953 in Fredonia, Arizona. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple. They were married for 59 years. They were very much in love and the best of friends.

In 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began a lifelong adventure. He was a jet mechanic and traveled throughout the US. He had oversea tours of duty to Germany, Africa, Thailand (during the Vietnam War) and Turkey. He was proud to serve his country for 21 years.

During his life-long adventure, he was blessed with three children: Kathy, Denise and Danny. They were the "apple of his eye" and he was the best dad any child could ask for. He passed his legacy of music and kisses to his family.

He was an self-taught accomplished musician. He would play the guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, accordion and harmonica. He was blessed with a wit and great voice that entertained people all over from Thailand to Utah. He was in many bands, on tv and had his own family band. His love was country and western, but he was known to "rock out" at times, as well. If he has his way, he is probably entertaining the angles at the pearly gates.

After he retired from the Air Force, he worked 19 years for SUFCO Coal Mines as a mechanic. At the mine he was also known as an entertainer and song writer.

He served many years at Richfield Care Center entertaining those in need. He won many awards in music contests with his fiddle and mandolin.

In later years when his health began to decline, his wit and talent continued to bless others. He entertained the staff at Gunnison Valley Hospital. While at Kolob Regional Rehab and Care Center of Cedar City with a song he wrote with an occupational therapist that delighted the staff and residents.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was a quiet, generous and loving man who loved his family very much. He has left a legacy that will continue forever. When he returned to his Heavenly Father, he took a part of all of our hearts. He will be missed and loved forever.

He is survived by his wife, Diana, Annabella; children: Kathy Barney, Cedar City; Denise (Don) Lindsay, Venice; and Danny Barney, Monroe; 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Wyona (Kay) Cutler, Maryland.

He is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Faith Freeborn; brothers: Wendell and Sheldon; nephews, Verlynn, Shane, and Kent.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7, 2013 at 12 Noon in the Magleby Mortuary Chapel, 50 South 100 West, Richfield, where friends may call from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Annabella Cemetery with military rites by the V.F.W. Post #5050 and Hill Air Force Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.