Irvin Barron

Irv was born in Waterloo, Iowa, December 16th, 1929. He was the 6th and youngest child of Ralph Austin Barron and Florence Lucy Peverill. He died at Taylor Hospice House, Des Moines, Iowa, April 4, 2016, with family members and Hospice staff by his side.

During Irv's childhood and teen age years, the Family lived on Baltimore Street, Waterloo, at the top of a high hill. He played in the park across the street, cherished his rabbits, cats and dogs, and did all the fun things that most children enjoy. As the "baby", his siblings actually fought over who would hold him or swing him and be his baby sitter.

The family raised a huge garden and had a large strawberry patch on their ten acres. A class mate recently wrote that she would never forget how Barron sweet corn always seemed better than any other. At an early age, it was Irv's great delight to deliver produce around the neighborhood in his red wagon.

He started Kindergarten at Washington Irving, and continued his education there until he was old enough to move on. He graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1948. He loved staying with his beloved Grandmother Barron at her farm in Poyner Township. During High School, he was a member of a quartet, which performed throughout Iowa.

He was not active in school sports, but he loved attending games, especially Football. He later briefly drove a stock car and participated in races. He liked hiking and camping and was an excellent swimmer and bowler.

His Dad and Mom owned a feed company, called Barron Tankage. From the age of 16, Irv helped with the business, and drove the delivery truck to neighboring towns and farms. He was so much younger than his siblings that he practically grew up as an only child. Both parents died while Irv was still in his teens.

He served during the Korean War as a member of 1st Cavalry Division in the Far Eastern Command. He had unusual experiences during that time. Before going overseas, he was with the group who witnessed the Atomic testing blasts in Nevada in 1952. This was called Operation Tumbler-Snapper. That, he never forgot.

He was stationed in Japan most of the War. He was in the famous fake amphibious landing on Korea. He said it was a dangerous place to be because they were surrounded by gun fire the entire time. After being honorably discharged he served two years in Iowa National Guard.

While he was still with the Guard, he married Carleta June Rauer of Linn County, Missouri. They became parents of five children. They moved to Altoona, the last week in April, 1959. They have lived in the same house, on the same corner, since that time. Their children never attended any but Southeast Polk Schools.
After service, Irv briefly went back to work for Look Magazine. Then, worked for Easter Food Stores, in the produce department. Every Monday, he drove the produce truck to the big market in Kansas City. After that, he began making trips to Minnesota to buy potatoes, to Texas for watermelon, and Florida for oranges. Abe Easter sometimes rode with him. Other times he suggested he have June ride along. Abe told them to take extra time and enjoy a vacation in Florida. June loved the Gulf of Mexico. She was impressed when Irv walked through the watermelon fields, and thumped dozens with his thumbs; then said which ones he would reject and which, he would buy. Through the years, Irv usually chose their melons and lettuce, etc, at the store, by thumping on them and listening to the way they sounded. In Texas, they stopped at an ice cream social in a small town park. A lady interviewed them and wrote about their visit in the local paper.

In 1957, he transferred to the Easter Family's car hauling business. He stuck with driving a rig loaded with new Ford cars for the next 40 years. Even though the original company merged and changed names several times, he just made the change with them, and enjoyed seeing the new models before most other people did. He traveled across the entire United States, and was in New York, when
Daughter Gretchen was born.

Through the years, Irv did a lot of volunteer work. He was active in several organizations, and was always an officer. He served his church as Treasurer, Deacon, and Elder. He served on many committees. He earned safe driving and other awards. At the time of his death, he was a member of Altoona Christian Church, Altoona American Legion Post #682 and of Teamsters Retirees.

During his last several years, Irv was constantly in and out of hospitals, had several serious surgeries, and fell frequently. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Max and Bob, an infant brother David, by sisters Julia O'Rourke and Betty Darst and by nephews Ronald Barron and Jim O'Rourke.

He is survived by his wife June, of 62 years; children Kim Barron (Shelley), Marshalltown; Rev. Gretchen Barron, Decatur, Il.; Kirk Barron (Cindy), Dubuque; Kit Barron (Christi), Des Moines; Katrina BarronMiller (Jerry), Des Moines. He leaves grandchildren: Ame, Molly, Jesscera, Joshua Alex and Bethany. Also, nephew, Dennis Barron (Kathy), Coal Valley, Il.; nieces: Dianne Davis (Stan), Unionville, Mo., Lucy McEcherin (Mack), and Patricia Barron, Jacksonville, Fl. and their families.

He considered his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law his own. They are Neva and Tom Cunningham, Connie Rauer, Alice Rauer, Donna and Richard Gibson, Janet Bates, Terry and Cliff Murphy, Jon and Sabrina Rauer and their families. He leaves several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his good speaking voice, big personality, and hearty, merry, musical laugh. He was famous for his fireside poems and stories, and often gave talks at various events. He will be greatly missed and long cherished by family and by his many friends


Memorial contributions may be directed to the church and to Taylor House Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print