Raymond Ernest Barney's Obituary
Raymond (Ray) E. Barney was born July 31,1944 to Harold and Doris (Porter) Barney of Spring Lake, Michigan and was called home to Heaven Friday, January 28th, 2022 after battling multiple chronic illnesses. He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1962 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. He was the Valedictorian of his Michigan Basic Police Academy Class in 1970 and completed numerous additional courses and certifications related to law enforcement and corrections including Department of Justice Instructor Certification.
Ray served his country in both the US Air Force (1962-1966) and the US Navy (1974-1978) and at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (1978 to 1998) working in Michigan, Arizona, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Illinois Correctional facilities as a gun and locksmith. After retirement, Ray trained as a tractor trailer driver and was a seasonal truck driver. Prior to the Military, Ray held a variety of retail, managerial, and law enforcement roles across Western Michigan.
Ray was also a member of the Federal Officers’ Coalition, Fraternal Order of Police, Mustang Club of America, West Michigan Mustang Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, AFL-CIO (President), YMCA and the American Legion. He was also very involved with Boy Scouts of America when his children were younger. He didn’t talk about it often, but his most important membership was to God’s family allowing his children and grandchildren the comfort of knowing they will see him again in heaven someday.
He was known for his sense of humor and prided himself in being “Chief Dark Cloud” stating he was a grump though his family knew a much brighter side of him. Ray could routinely be found at his grandchildren’s sporting and performing arts events even when this became physically challenging. He loved gifting people with Barney the Dinosaur items and enjoyed being an anonymous giver. He was difficult to shop for because he was a man who had everything…and sometimes three of everything! His family was never successful in finding the one thing he would ask for each Christmas… a rich, desperate, blonde!
Ray made his home in Grand Haven with his favorite four-legged friend, his loyal Bichon Friese, Tucker who will now live with Ray’s brother in North Carolina.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Doris Barney and by his daughter (with Elsa) Cherri Lynne Barney. Ray is survived by his dog, Tucker, his brother Doug (Marilyn) Barney of North Carolina, his first wife (divorced), Elsa Mulder, and his second wife (divorced) Luanne Barney. He is also survived by his children Tim (Linda) Barney of Chesapeake, Virginia, Todd (Kerrie) Barney of Grand Haven, MI, Teresa (John) McDaniel of North Muskegon, MI, Brad (Tammy) Kleis of McKinney, TX, Kelly Barney of Grand Haven, MI, and Christopher Barney of San Jose, CA. He is additionally survived by his grandchildren Cherri (Michael) Nugent, Angelique (Ryan) Connell, Nichole Barney, Avery (Harmony) Barney, Sean Sundrud, Trevor Kleis, Andrew Barney, Adam Barney, Jacob Barney, Garrett Kleis, Luke Barney, and Toby Barney. He is also blessed with seven Great Grandchildren Archer, Kynlee, Matthew, Lincoln, Raelynn, Canaan, and Levi.
Ray has chosen to be cremated and asked that no services be held. His immediate family will commemorate him in a small private gathering.
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