Archie Max Barney Jr.

Archie Max Barney Jr., 83, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. The author Thomas Browne once said, “With what strife and pains we come into the world we know not, but ‘tis commonly no easy matter to get out of it.” Max’s life began and ended with the strife’s of life, but throughout, he mastered life with heroism in the eyes of those who knew him best.

Max’s life began in a one-room cabin in Spring City, Utah, Sept. 13, 1934. Growing up in Sanpete County was two fold—a playground for scenic mountains, hiking, hunting, angel grandmothers and good memories of small-town life, but his growing-up years also held the challenge of a mother whose illnesses led to hardship and a father who left the home. Max became the “man of the house” at age eight. The harsh conditions of his childhood built extraordinary traits in him, such as the value of good-hard work, honesty, dependability, self-reliance, perseverance, and faith in God. He learned to be positive in the face of adversity and looked at life with hope and joy despite hardship. These strengths stayed with him his entire life.

Early in life, Max found passion in woodworking. As he matured in his career, some called him a “Celestial Carpenter.” His artistic eye and attention to detail made him a master craftsman and builder. He was known and hired for his creativity, honesty, attention to detail and his ability to solve difficult construction issues.

In 1957, Dad married Deanne Jensen in the Logan Utah LDS Temple and they grew a family of six children in a home he built in East Millcreek. They supported each other in their life’s work by growing A. Max Barney Construction Co. and later, Children’s Discovery School. They were married 61 years and have watched the fruits of their hard work and posterity blossom.

Max served diligently in the LDS Church throughout his life. His caring service in a bishopric, his diligence as a stake missionary and his impact on the youth and scouts, were special memories for him. Max exemplified the words, “Salt of the Earth.”

He loved to teach others his passions and always added personal stories with teaching moments as he taught skills. Max probably never fully understood that, in addition to learning from him, people simply loved and wanted to be around him. He was known by his posterity to be a steady and quiet force in their lives. He was a man of few words, but his actions were his words and we were taught well by him. He loved his children and grandchildren and made sure all felt loved. They adored him, especially their one-on-one time with him in the mountains.

Nature was Max’s refuge and he taught many to respect and feel gratitude for the great outdoors and wildlife. He would say that any problem could be solved in nature and enjoyed conversing with God there. He was satisfied with simple living and loved his mountains.

He was passionate about carving and received many awards for his brilliant masterpieces. His work was published in a National Carving magazine. But, he desired most to be known for his steadiness and work ethic. He put these traits to work at a young age as he served our country in the United States Army National Guard.

In his last days, he desired to finish one last carving project and worked on it until extreme pain and weakness prohibited him from gripping his beloved carving tools. Many would say he was foolish as they watched him struggle with determination to finish this “last” project. But those who knew him well could only sum up this final act as a statement of who he really is; the same person he was as a small boy, working with fortitude and courage even in pain, finishing a job with honesty, a good eye, and indeed enduring to the end with pure joy. Our gratitude is full for his example and life. Heaven is thrilled to gain a “Celestial Craftsman.”

Max, enjoy your renewed body and make sure to sing with that classic gravelly voice of yours, “Found a Peanut” as you wander through quaking aspens, sit atop a mountain peak and soak sunshine into your soul. Until we meet again.

He is survived by his wife, Deanne (Jensen) Barney; his children, Tammy (John) Stobbe, Sandy (Steve) Perry, Dean (Cindy) Barney, Ken (Patricia) Barney, Bob (Tiffany) Barney, and Lori (Lars) Paulsen; his siblings, Larry (Linda) Barney, Sharon Collard, Ray (Gwen) Barney, Bob (Diane) Barney, and (Vicki) Barney. He has 27 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie (Louise) Barney and Reola Barney; one brother, Mel Barney; a grandson, Lars F. Paulsen II; and a granddaughter-in-law, Kristine “Teenie” Hunt.

We’d like to thank Dr. Jared Probst and Dr. Thomas Edwards for helping Dad succeed with his own determination to live his life longer than expected. We appreciate the kindness of CNS hospice workers, neighbors, friends, and Rasmussen Funeral Home.

A viewing will be held Sunday, July 15, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the East Millcreek 12th Ward, 3103 E. Craig Drive (3600 S). The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 16, at the same location, with a viewing from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Funeral directors, Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley, Idaho - rasmussenfuneralhome.com