Barry Lane Negus, age 79, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, in Smithfield, Utah, surrounded by the love of his family and friends on both sides of the veil. Barry lived a life full of hard work, service, faith, patience, and most importantly, a quiet kind of love that could move mountains.
Barry was born on February 10, 1947, in the back of a car in Bloomington, Idaho, on the way to the hospital. His mom refused to leave earlier for the hospital, saying, “I’m just not ready yet!” Because of this, Barry came out so blue when he was born that the doctors said he was the bluest baby they had ever seen born! Even from the time he was brought to this earth, a little hard work (like being born in the backseat of a car in freezing temperatures in Idaho in February with no heat) never scared Barry. He was the youngest of six children. Lyle was the oldest, followed by Nelda, Udell, Ilona, and then his youngest sister Judy.
After his birth, his parents Vergie and William brought him back home to Garden City, Utah, to the homestead that Barry’s grandpa John William Negus built himself. Barry grew up there with his five siblings and attended North Rich Elementary in Garden City when he was old enough to start school. And as the story goes…Barry and his siblings had to walk uphill BOTH ways sometimes in ten feet of snow and freezing weather through the cemetery to get to school. But even a long, freezing walk to school couldn’t stop Barry from finding a way to have a little fun. Sometimes when he, Judy, and Ilona were walking to school, Barry would sneak away and hide behind a headstone and wait for his sisters to pass before jumping out and scaring them. Barry always loved to make people laugh or smile. Whether that was himself, his sisters, or his grandchildren, he always made sure to spread the joy. He later attended North Rich High School and played for the football team until he graduated in 1965. The whole time Barry was in school, as soon as he came home, he went to work helping his family continue to build up the homestead, as well as helping out with other farm chores.
After graduation, Barry attended a tech school in Salt Lake where he studied diesel mechanics. Barry was a strong and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and wanted to serve a mission for his church. However, during the Vietnam War, only a certain number of missionaries were allowed to serve, and Barry wasn’t one of them. Instead, Barry was called to serve his country in the Vietnam War when he was 19 years old. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a cook and served our country honorably for two years. After his time in the military, Barry returned home to Garden City and worked on the farm and at a convenience store until Uncle Herm had a feeling that Barry needed to meet someone.
Barry met his soon-to-be wife Elaine Walston on January 21, 1971, and they were married later that same year on June 3. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. After their wedding, Barry purchased a single-wide trailer, and he and Elaine started their life on the homestead on a single acre of land. During this time, Barry worked several different jobs to support his growing young family. He worked on the marina as a park ranger, he was a plumber, and he also worked for LeGrande Johnson Cement. While he was earning money for his family, he never stopped working at home either. He was constantly farming the ground for gardening and building up the family homestead. Barry always had the best garden in town, and he knew how to fix just about anything.
Barry and Elaine were blessed to have four children. Jennifer was born July 19, 1972, followed by Michelle on May 17, 1974, and then finally the twins, Timothy and Benjamin, on November 2, 1976. Barry worked even harder after the birth of his children and was able to secure a part-time job with the Rich County Road Department and later got hired on full time because they liked him so much. He worked there and drove a mini excavator for a landscaping company until he retired in 2008. After retirement, Barry was able to fulfill his call to serve a mission when he and Elaine were called to the Nashville, Tennessee Mission, where they served as proselyting missionaries under the direction of the Bishop from June 2009 to November 2011. He was also blessed to serve in multiple callings in the Church, including as a member of the Bishopric, Elders’ Quorum President, Boy Scout Leader, and High Councilman.
During this time, Barry was blessed to witness the marriage of all four of his children, as well as welcome his grandchildren and their spouses, and two great-grandchildren into the family. Barry and Elaine stayed in Garden City on the homestead their family built until 2023, when they made the move to Hyde Park, Utah, where he passed. Barry was passionate about service, determination, and providing for his family, and that legacy lives on through his descendants. He taught all of his children and grandchildren how to provide for your family, how to serve those in need, what it means to honor your word, and how to do all that with a smile on your face. He instilled a great love for hunting in his children, which was passed down to his grandchildren and became a beautiful tradition full of fond memories for everyone in Barry’s family. Barry’s love was fierce and strong, but also calm and quiet. In the evenings, you could always find Barry in his big leather recliner with an old John Wayne western on the TV, usually with a big bowl of homemade buttered popcorn, quietly recounting the events of the day and prepping for the work of tomorrow. That image perfectly encapsulates who Barry was. He was a simple man who knew the value of hard work, family, faith, and service, and we will cherish all the memories we have of him and who he was.
Barry is survived by his two sisters, Ilona Stewart and Judy Byington; his wife, Elaine Negus; his children, Jennifer Elaine Negus Casillas (Samuel Casillas), Glenice Michelle Negus Eay, Timothy Layne Negus (Diana Negus), and Benjamin Barry Negus (Janalynn Negus); 16 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
His memory and legacy will live on through those whose lives he touched. And especially through everyone he told to, “keep your chin up and keep on smiling!” We love you, Barry! We love you, Dad! We love you Grandpa! Until we meet again!
A viewing will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 6-7 PM at Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 E 1800 N, North Logan. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at the Garden City Church, 65 South Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 AM and the funeral will start at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Garden City Cemetery.
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