Damasio Barela

Damasio Barela, 83 of Clovis, NM died Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock ,TX. Damasio was born November 18, 1919 at Alamogordo, in northern De Baca County. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for several years on as a section hand and also worked on the Bridge Gang. He later worked at the Roundhouse at Clovis. He worked for K Barnett at Sam Sanders Gravel Pit in Fort Sumner for several years. Damasio married Pauline Sanchez in 1946 at Clovis. Damasio worked for the Fort Sumner Irrigation District building Concrete ditches in the Fort Sumner Valley. He made his home at Clovis in 1962 where he worked for the City of Clovis as a truck driver for 20 years. He retired in 1986. He also volunteered for the Clovis Senior Citizens where he delivered meals and drove the seniors on errands around Clovis. Damasio loved to dance, go shopping with his family, and tell stories to his grandchildren about his past. Damasio was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Clovis, NM, Knights of Columbus Council #8331 in Fort Sumner and American Legion Post #25 and the D.A.V. in Clovis. He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline Barela on August 23, 1999; his parents; and three brothers Lucresio, Atanacio, and Fermin Barela. Survivors include three daughters Mary Ann Byars and husband Randy; Maria Barela, and Sandra Collier and husband Mike all of Clovis; 16 Grandchildren, 25 Great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 14, 2003 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 15, 2003 from St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Stephen Schultz officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Joe Sanchez, John Collier, Michael D. Collier, John Salazar, Larry Barela, and George Salazar. Honorary bearers will be Eddie Reyna, Eric Jauerqui, Michael Collier, Randy Byars, and all his family and friends. Visitation hours will be Friday from 10AM to 6PM at the funeral home and 11AM to 12noon at the church on Saturday. The family will be at 816 Prarie View Drive in Clovis. A Memorial Service has been scheduled for 7:00 PM Friday, March 21, 2003 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Clovis.