The oldest son of Anthony Paul and Alice Mudge Barra, David was born across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, in Belleville, Illinois, where his dad was stationed at Scott AFB as a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force. Wherever officers needed to be tested/evaluated, Tony went. David started school in Lebanon, IL, continued in Cheyenne, WY, and finished his public schooling in San Antonio, TX. Along the way, he was joined by a brother, Tom, and a sister, Nancy. Music was an important part of growing up (TV reception was spotty in 50s Wyoming) and David has been known to pull out the 78s (yes, we have the original machine) and sing along with the stories they played.
He was a proud 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, where he played basketball on the school court and baritone horn in the marching band. A life-long Cardinals fan, David loved baseball. Summers were devoted to the sport and he played off and on until his forties, when he coached his son and his friends. He enjoyed maintaining friendships, and baseball (and later, older, slower, softball) formed terrific bonds. He liked the Astros, too.
After finishing his two years at San Antonio College, David attended the University of Texas in Austin. While he completed his math degree he sang in the Men's Glee Club. He was a member of a small combo, the Sundowners, who sang and represented the University
In 1968, deciding after two years of dental school that dentistry was not his cup of tea, David worked construction and even experimented with teaching math in HISD. He landed at Cullen Jr High, where he met and married his wife, Mariann, in 1969. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in April. (Remember when there was a San Jacinto weekend school holiday?)
Another 47-year anniversary was David's and the insurance business. He started with Mutual of New York (MONY) and worked there 30 years. Then, the Guardian, MetLife, and up until his death, as an independent broker. He always felt that teaching and finding just the right product for his clients were the same thing.
Teaching. Aside from the math experience in 1968, David loved to teach. He taught his children, he taught his Little Leaguers, he taught Sunday School. Accompanied by his ubiquitous yellow pad of scribbly notes, David was truly happy standing before a class of adults, teaching.
After satisfactorily winning a 17-year bout with lymphoma, David was blindsided by its Evil Cousin, leukemia, last January. He fought, he worked, he did everything he could, but he finally succumbed on Monday, September 5,2016. The irony is that this singer, this speaker, was unable to talk for the last few weeks. We just chatted to him and pretended he answered!
David is survived by his wife, Mariann Massey Barra; his brother Tom Barra and sister-in-law Cheryl of Katy, TX; his sister Nancy and brother-in-law Jim Smith of Pagosa Springs, CO. His immediate family includes: daughter Amy and husband Kurt Johnson, their daughters Annika and Audrey; daughter Emily and husband Tom Leffler, their children Brody and Caroline; daughter Susan and husband Brian Lemmon, their children Ayla, Nora, and Levi; son Greg and wife Wimberly, their son David Winn Barra. He leaves many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Our family story will forever remain thus: David had to wait until he was sure Texas would beat the Irish before he could leave his earthly home. He and Greg rejoiced together as the Longhorns did just that very thing.
A celebration of the life of David Paul Barra will be held in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 22, at 1:00 p.m. Plan to join family and friends at the reception afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.
Condolences may be offered at the reception or at www.beresfordfunerals.com. If memorial gifts are your preference, please consider the education or music ministries of Chapelwood UMC, 11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024. This is where he taught and sang and served his Lord.
"Hook'em!"
Chapelwood United Methodist Church
The oldest son of Anthony Paul and Alice Mudge Barra, David was born across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, in Belleville, Illinois, where his dad was stationed at Scott AFB as a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force. Wherever officers needed to be tested/evaluated, Tony went. David started school in Lebanon, IL, continued in Cheyenne, WY, and finished his public schooling in San Antonio, TX. Along the way, he was joined by a brother, Tom, and a sister, Nancy. Music was an important part of growing up (TV reception was spotty in 50s Wyoming) and David has been known to pull out the 78s (yes, we have the original machine) and sing along with the stories they played.
He was a proud 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, where he played basketball on the school court and baritone horn in the marching band. A life-long Cardinals fan, David loved baseball. Summers were devoted to the sport and he played off and on until his forties, when he coached his son and his friends. He enjoyed maintaining friendships, and baseball (and later, older, slower, softball) formed terrific bonds. He liked the Astros, too.
After finishing his two years at San Antonio College, David attended the University of Texas in Austin. While he completed his math degree he sang in the Men's Glee Club. He was a member of a small combo, the Sundowners, who sang and represented the University
at "hootenannies" with other colleges around the state. His love of music led him to sing in choirs at St John's UMC (San Antonio), Southwest UMC (Houston), and Chapelwood's Chancel Choir. When David, Tom, and Greg sang together, they were teasingly called the Barra-tones. Our home was never without music.
In 1968, deciding after two years of dental school that dentistry was not his cup of tea, David worked construction and even experimented with teaching math in HISD. He landed at Cullen Jr High, where he met and married his wife, Mariann, in 1969. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in April. (Remember when there was a San Jacinto weekend school holiday?)
Another 47-year anniversary was David's and the insurance business. He started with Mutual of New York (MONY) and worked there 30 years. Then, the Guardian, MetLife, and up until his death, as an independent broker. He always felt that teaching and finding just the right product for his clients were the same thing.
Teaching. Aside from the math experience in 1968, David loved to teach. He taught his children, he taught his Little Leaguers, he taught Sunday School. Accompanied by his ubiquitous yellow pad of scribbly notes, David was truly happy standing before a class of adults, teaching.
After satisfactorily winning a 17-year bout with lymphoma, David was blindsided by its Evil Cousin, leukemia, last January. He fought, he worked, he did everything he could, but he finally succumbed on Monday, September 5,2016. The irony is that this singer, this speaker, was unable to talk for the last few weeks. We just chatted to him and pretended he answered!
David is survived by his wife, Mariann Massey Barra; his brother Tom Barra and sister-in-law Cheryl of Katy, TX; his sister Nancy and brother-in-law Jim Smith of Pagosa Springs, CO. His immediate family includes: daughter Amy and husband Kurt Johnson, their daughters Annika and Audrey; daughter Emily and husband Tom Leffler, their children Brody and Caroline; daughter Susan and husband Brian Lemmon, their children Ayla, Nora, and Levi; son Greg and wife Wimberly, their son David Winn Barra. He leaves many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Our family story will forever remain thus: David had to wait until he was sure Texas would beat the Irish before he could leave his earthly home. He and Greg rejoiced together as the Longhorns did just that very thing.
A celebration of the life of David Paul Barra will be held in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 22, at 1:00 p.m. Plan to join family and friends at the reception afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.
Condolences may be offered at the reception or at www.beresfordfunerals.com. If memorial gifts are your preference, please consider the education or music ministries of Chapelwood UMC, 11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024. This is where he taught and sang and served his Lord.
"Hook'em!"
Chapelwood UMC - Education and Music Ministries
11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024.
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It was my good fortune to work with David for a number of years at MONY. He was a true life insurance professional;
dedicated to his clients best interest. Always searching
for his clients best options and keeping them up to date
with timely service. Many policyholders were fortunate to
have David as their agent/advisor.
So sorry for your loss. During this difficult time, find comfort in God's promise to soon end suffering, tears and death. Revelation 21: 3, 4
My sincere condolences. I remember David from our years at Thomas Jefferson and enjoyed catching up at one of the Jeff reunions. He was a warm and caring person.
My deepest sympathy to the entire Barra family. We had great memories that will last forever. God bless you.
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank you and your staff for your excellent and caring service.
Thank you for all you did to make our mother's funeral special, dignified, and easy for us.
I just can't express to you enough how much we appreciated the kindness and professionalism my family experienced with you and your staff.
Thank you for treating my beloved mother with honor and respect all throughout the process.
Our family will be forever grateful to the owner and staff at Beresford Funeral Services for the excellent services they provided to our family upon the death of our loved one. Everything went smoothly. The planning was easy with everything needed for the funeral provided on sight at reasonable prices with no pressure to spend more than planned. They were flexible with our personal plans, very kind, and considerate from beginning to end. We would definitely recommend Beresford Funeral Services to anyone in need of funeral services.
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