Edward Donald Barela

The Family Man

There are fathers, and then there are dads. A father may provide for and protect his family, but a dad does so with love, laughs, and a listening ear.

There are grandfathers, and then there are grandpas. A grandfather may dote on his grandchildren, but a grandpa invites them into his world and makes sure he is part of theirs.

Edward Donald Barela, or Don was a dad and grandpa in every way. From an early age, he understood the value of family and the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and personal responsibility. He forged his mom’s signature to get into the Marines as a teenager. When he left the service, he worked as a baker, a truck driver, and other jobs to ensure that his family was cared for. He bestowed these values to his three children, Michael, Lorraine, and Deanna.

Yet Don knew that simply keeping a roof over the head or food on the table were not enough. It was the in-between moments – the camping trips, the card games, the car rides in his dad’s blue Dodge – that mattered most. He understood that a good old-fashioned jump scare around a campfire, or a well-timed joke, were as important as the milestone moments like graduations and weddings.

Don recognized that being a dad and grandpa was not so much about doing as it was being. Being present. Being available. Being involved. He was obsessive about punctuality and strove to be early to any event or destination. Being the first one there – wherever ‘there’ was – was not about getting a good seat or the best parking space. It was a reflection of how much he valued and prioritized showing up.

He had four grandkids – Jesus, Audrey, Kayla, and Bethany. The grandkids always knew they had a place to sleep at Don and Sherryls’ house – no reservations required. To spend the night at grandpa’s was something special and ordinary all at once. It was to watch one of his favorite movies, play a game, or just sit and talk about life. It was to enjoy the comfort of routine like listening to him let the dogs in or out and mill about getting breakfast ready.

Don was eager to teach his kids or grandkids how to shoot a gun, clean a fish, or set up a campsite, but just as importantly how to make people feel valued and seen. His devotion to family wasn’t limited to an inner circle, or even blood. He was fiercely devoted to his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He went out of his way to be there for them and be a part of their lives.

As a U.S. Marine, he was strong in character and fiercely patriotic. His service to his country inspired others in the family to enlist and established a military tradition for the Barelas. Yet within this warrior exterior was someone who was deeply sensitive and empathetic to others. Even in his final days, Don’s focus was ensuring his family would be cared for.

Don was so many things to so many people – dad, grandpa, husband, friend, brother, and uncle, veteran, to name just a few. Yet the thing that ties them all together is love.

Rest in Peace, Don. Semper Fi.

Preceded in death by his parents Martin and Lucy Barela, and his brothers Richard Barela and Arthur Barela. Survived by his loving wife of 49 years Sherryl Barela; his three children Lorraine Bobian, Michael Barela (Karin Thorpe), and Deanna Barela; and his grandchildren Jesus Medrano (Kevin Goycochea),

Audrey Barela, Kayla Barela and Bethany Barela. He is also survived by his siblings Rebecca Candelaria, Martin Barela, Dolores Jojola and Irene Barela.