The Herald Democrat
January 13, 2012

John Douglas Barrier Sr., 62, of Bells passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 10, 2012 at Baylor Medical Center in Plano.

He was born on April 4, 1949 in Fort Monroe, Virginia to John Dare Barrier and Louise Roseman Bernal. His father was a soldier and he spent his childhood in Hawaii, Morocco, North Carolina, and Virginia. During his teenage years, he lived in Denison, swam competitively, played baseball and football, and graduated from Denison High School in 1968. He married Christi Popplewell in 1969 and they were married for 42 years. In 1972 he graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in business administration.

After college, he tried to sell insurance, but hated sitting behind a desk. He joined the Garland Fire Department in 1973 and eventually became a master firefighter. John faithfully served the community of Garland for 30 years and retired in 2003. He then returned to Grayson County, built his dream home, and started the "Windy Hill Ranch" where he raised Black Angus cattle. He spent his spare time hunting, restoring antique gas pumps, and fixing things. He and Christi traveled all over the world, but his greatest pleasure was spending time with his children and grandchildren. John believed in hard work, integrity, loyalty, and being prepared.

He will be fondly remembered by his wife, Christi Barrier, son John Barrier Jr., daughter-in-law JJ Barrier, daughter Jill Bell, son-in-law Jeff Bell M.D., grandchildren Aly and Jase Barrier and Kate, Luke, and Livia Bell, his mother Louise Bernal, stepfather Juan Bernal, mother-in-law Betty Popplewell, brothers Jeff and Greg Barrier, sisters Brenda Barlow and Janet Taylor, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father John Dare Barrier.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14 at Harvest Time Assembly of God Church in Sherman. The officiant was Dr. Richard Plunk of Grace Community Assembly of God at Flower Mound. Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery in Sherman.