Vay Barney

At the age of 98, Vay Lund Barney passed away peacefully on November 7, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born on a farm in Escalante, Utah to Scott Barney and Sytha Solena Lay, on June 21, 1917. He often told stories of his young life on the farm, his nine brothers and sisters, his horse named Black Bollie, and his mother who he adored. Vay joined the Marines and bravely fought in WWII. He returned home with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Every once in a while he would open up and talk of the war and the men he fought with, but most of the time his stories were his to keep. He was proud of his country and his time as a Marine, as was his family. On November 13, 1944 he married Jessie Howard and they had three daughters. Vay worked hard, often times working 2-3 jobs and always saving everything he could. He was a loving grandfather, who even when his knees were hurting and it was difficult to get up and down, would get on the ground to play blocks or cars with his grandchildren. He enjoyed his morning exercises, gardening, being outside, and chocolate. He was strong and independent and even into his 90s he would do all of his own yard work and shovel his own driveway in the winter. In the last few years of his life he suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Although he lost nearly all his memories, he never lost his beautiful smile, his wavy head of hair or his stubbornness. He enjoyed his regular visits from his cousin, Byron Bagnell, his children, grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. In the last several years of his life, his granddaughter Megan, spent much of her time caring for Vay. He said they were the babies of their families so they needed to stick together, and so that’s what they did. He loved when the young great-grandchildren would sing and dance for him. He loved the visits, but made sure we left before it got dark so we would get home safe. He will be missed.
Vay is survived by his daughters, Patricia Kay Wallick and Nancy Louann Holder; 8 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his nine brothers and sisters, and his daughter, Cynthia Rose.
Funeral service will be held at Holladay Cottonwood Memorial Mortuary on Monday, November 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing one hour prior. In lieu of flowers and in honor of our military veterans, the family asks that you do something kind for a veteran this holiday season. Buy them a coffee (Vay loved his coffee), donate to your local VA Hospital, or just spend a few minutes listening to their stories.