Wingate - Byron Russell Grenard, affectionately known as Barney, lived a long and full life that ended peacefully on June 18, 2012. Born in Wingate to Minnie and Emerson Grenard on May 2, 1917, he lived on the land he was born for eighty-four years. He graduated from Wingate High School in 1935 where he participated in sports and occasional mischief. He proudly wore his Wingate State Champs baseball cap for a number of years. Barney married his high school sweetheart Vera Lamkin on May 6, 1939 and they were married until her death in February, 1973.
He entered the United States Army and served in World War II in Europe from 1943-1946. As a result of his wartime experiences, he always remembered the beauty of the European country side, the warm reception and gratitude of the European people, and the devastation and sacrifices of war. He remained connected with many of his wartime buddies over the years and attended a number of army reunions. He was a member of the Wingate American Legion for many years and was a current member of American Legion Byron Cox Post 72. For many years he participated in Veteran's Day Ceremonies and helped decorate the graves of deceased veterans. Fourth of July was his favorite holiday at which time he enjoyed get togethers with family and friends, homemade vanilla ice cream and fireworks but most of all a time for appreciating the meaning and responsibility of independence.
After returning from the War he returned to work at R. R. Donnelly & Sons where he worked forty years until his retirement in 1977. In addition to his work, he enjoyed raising a few cattle and sheep, gardening, fishing, having numerous family dogs and attending or watching sporting events with his family. He was an avid reader and instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of learning, of being curious and being independent thinkers. He would frequently send his children articles he thought they should read.
Barney enjoyed time with his family whether playing Santa when his children were young or sledding down the family hill with his grandsons at age eighty-five. His two children are Sally Grenard-Moore (John) of Austin, Texas and Doug Grenard (Lanna) of Wingate. His three grandsons include Andrew Grenard-Moore of Alexandria, Virginia, Emerson Grenard of Lafayette, and Clint Grenard of Wingate. On October 8, 1976, Barney married Louise Hopkins. He was quickly welcomed into her family including Kerry Hopkins (Cindy Stephens) and Pam Stevenson (Jack). Over the years he enjoyed Louise's grandchildren (Eric, Angie, Stacey, Starla, Stephanie and Skylar) and great grandchildren. Barney and Louise had many good years of traveling to army reunions, bowling, time at Louise's lake house and being members of the Ben Hur Auto Club.
Barney remained physically fit, lifting weights and walking well into his 90's. He leaves us with gratitude for the love and memories shared and delight for his dry sense of humor, wonderful laugh, love of a good story and joke, and the shear joy of his presence.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at The Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. A celebration of his life will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Gordon Nichols officiating Burial will be at the Wingate Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #72. In lieu of flowers, memorials may best be directed to: Hope for the Warriors, 5101C Back Lick Road, Suite 200, Annandale, VA 22003 or at www.hopeforthewarriors.org. or to the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, 1104 Big Four Arch Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Visit us online to
Leave a condolence at www.familyandfriendsfh.com