Fred Arthur Barras

RUPERT – Fred Arthur Barras, 76, of Rupert, passed away quietly and peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 7, 2013.

Fred was born on March 31, 1936, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the son of Fredrick and Avery Margaret Urwin Barras. He attended school there until his family moved to Rupert in 1947. He completed his education and graduated from Rupert High School in 1954. He met and married his sweetheart, Velda Hunsaker, on March 25, 1955, in Rupert. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on June 19, 1961. They were blessed with four sons, Steve, Dan, Ron and Ken.

Fred loved his family and provided for them by working at Project Mutual Telephone for 37 years. He loved his country and was proud to have served in the Army National Guard. He loved his community and served for 33 years as a volunteer fireman for the City of Rupert. He loved his God and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served faithfully in many callings. He had worked in the Boy Scouts and Sunday School, and had served as a ward clerk, and member of the Rupert West Stake high council. He was a high priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood and served many years as the stake patriarch. After retirement, he and Velda loved their service as missionaries in the California San Jose Mission. He showed his devotion to God by the way that he treated others. His abiding testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, helped him to be gentle and kind in his dealings with others.

He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed many hours fishing, hunting, rafting and traveling. He also enjoyed growing a garden and liked to share it with neighbors and friends. He was friendly and loved others with great sincerity.

He is survived by his wife, Velda Barras of Rupert; his sons, Steve (Tamara) Barras of Rupert, Dan (Candace) Barras of Minneapolis, Minn., Ron (Lisa) Barras of Ontario, Oregon, and Ken Barras of Rupert; his brother, Bob (Nan) Barras of Rupert; two sisters, Carol Henscheid of Burley, and Reta Diane Merkey of Rupert. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren who adored him; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was lovingly called “Great” by his great-grandchildren and he truly was! He will be missed very much.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Rupert LDS West Stake Center, 26 S. 100 W., with Bishop Brad Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Rupert Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 15, and from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Rupert West Stake Center.

Arrangement have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.