Joseph Arthur Barela, 88, of Laramie, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 from a gallbladder infection. Archie, as he is affectionately known, was born in Costilla, NM, to Maria Elvita (Elva) and Jose Geronimo (Jerry) Barela on May 30, 1936.
He moved to Laramie when he was nine years old. He, unfortunately, lost his left foot from crossing the railroad tracks when he was ten years old. He attended school at Laramie Senior High School and a graduate of the Class of 1957.
Archie attended art classes at the University of Wyoming for a couple of semesters. He used this knowledge and his creativity to create many carvings, paintings, and other items around the house. He then lived with his sister Joyce in Salt Lake City, Utah around 1960 and attended barber school.
Archie worked as a licensed barber in Laramie for more than 60 years. He had a very easy-going temperament with a lot of patience. He had a way of engaging in current event discussions and expressing his opinion without offense to his audience. He had thousands of customers that came to the shop for the “Archie’s Special Flat Top” and gave countless children their first haircut. He would often tell them tall tales of a gorilla living upstairs from the barber shop to help them sit still in the barber chair. The children all new where he kept his Tootsie Pop suckers and would grab one before they left.
Throughout his time in Laramie, Archie enjoyed hobbies of playing poker, fishing, and camping. His eyes would light up every time he heard there was a poker game scheduled. He also enjoyed watching sporting activities of the Wyoming Cowboys and his children and grandchildren. He would always make it his priority to watch all of the kids’ baseball, soccer, and football games. He was an avid watcher of science fiction movies and shows.
Archie was very handy at fixing things around the house and performed remodeling upgrades. One of his biggest fixit accomplishments was stripping down and rebuilding his rental house from the studs with the help of his brother Jesse. Those two could always be found working on each other’s projects.
Archie’s most lovable attribute is that he would always back his family and friends when they are in need. Whether that was with help fixing something around their house, giving a free haircut, or providing good advice.
Archie is survived by Charlotte Barela, his loving wife of 58 years; siblings: brother, Richard (Connie) Barela; sister, Genevieve (Gilbert) Vigil; sister, Ruby (Rudy) Sanchez; children: daughter, Theresa Lucero; son, Michael (Denise) Lucero; son, Larry (Tina) Barela; six grandchildren: Gabe (Bri) Lucero, Amanda (Val) Harris, Megan (Shawn) Merkley, Sophia Barela, Jerry Barela, and Francesca Barela; four great grandchildren: Kelsey Neumann, Lexi Lucero, Shaylee Lucero, and Stevie Harris.
Archie is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce (Martin) Mares; sister, Annie (Armando) Trujillo; brother, Jesse (Aurora) Barela; daughter, Cynthia Lucero and son, Jerry Barela.
The viewing will take place from 5 to 6 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2024, at the St. Laurence Catholic Church, Laramie. The rosary service will immediately follow the viewing at 6 p.m. A funeral liturgy will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2024, again at the St. Laurence Catholic Church. Interment will be in Green Hill Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming, Saturday December 7, 2024, following funeral liturgy.
Come and visit him anytime at grave site GPS coordinates: 41.315057,-105.573464
We are very sorry for your loss .I'm sharing in your and praying for you during this during this difficult time. God Bless you and your family.
So sorry to hear of Archie passing , sending prayers to the families Bruno and Isabel Flores.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Archie was the only one who would cut my son’s hair when he was growing up. He was an awesome guy and will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Shane and Charlotte Vigil and family
Aunt Charlotte and family….. hugs and prayers to you all. Uncle Archie was our gentle giant in the Barela Family, and he will be truly missed. Every time we saw him he joked and teased us all with his gentle mannerisms and overall Grandpa Jerry Barela’s smile and laugh. My favorite memory was him sneaking out to cut a customers hair and leaving me and Uncle Jessie to work on the little house on a cold winter morning. When we wondered where he was a few hours later, we found him taking a nap in his barber chair. Loved that man. RIP Uncle Archie. Paula Sanchez Peine
Aww Archie, rest in peace. I'll never forget my first cut at 16 years old in 1997, then my last one on the day you retired. You gave me a lot of advice over the years, lots of laughs and stories, and you listed to me through many ups and downs. You were the grandpa I always wished I had. To Archie's family, my thoughts are with you. I'm so appreciative of the time I got to spend with this lovely man. I'm so very sorry for your loss. ❤️
So sorry for your loss. My barber for over 50 years. God Bless and comfort you all in this time of grieving.
So sorry to hear of Archie's passing. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. RIP dear friend.
Charlotte, Michael and Larry: my son, Adam Moore, told me about Archie's death at Thanksgiving. I am so sorry for you all. Charlotte: I know Michael through my practice, and remember Larry well through his friendship with Adam. And I miss seeing you at Mass since I moved to St. Paul's.
Please know that you have our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We know that there is little we can say to console you but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Archie will be deeply missed.
Dear Barela and Lucero Families, so sorry to hear Uncle Archie passed. Fond memories of vacationing in Wyoming. My condolences 🙏
Archie will be missed by everyone who ever met him. What a great guy. One time when he was cutting my hair, he joked “ you know you’re getting old when a little kid whose hair you cut comes in for a hair cut and he has grey hair.” He was a true friend of mine and my family.
I am very sorry for your loss. Great people and a great family. I hope your mom is fairing well. Thinking of you all. Jim Locke
I would try to cut my own hair and then have to visit him afterwards and Archie would say "well I really can't fix this with out taking a lot off. I coached his son Jerry in hockey and when I got a the famous flat top I went next door to sa hi to Jerry and Jerry said "I see your fresh off the blocks". I'll miss that barber pool spinning and his kind soul. Prayers sent 🙏 ❤️ ♥️...
I am so sad for this beautiful family. Archie was an amazing man who always treated me like family. He taught me how to play poker and gave me countless haircuts!! I cherished Archie and Charlotte! They were second grandparents to me as a child and into adulthood. Gabe and I grew up like brothers and my heart breaks for him and his family. Rest in paradise Sweet Archie!!! You left a legacy of memories !!
Archie was a joy to talk with and always made me laugh. We all loved him and I know he’s making Family members in heaven laugh too. He was a good Catholic, a dedicated husband, a great father, and a wonderful member of his Christian faith. He will be missed but never forgotten. My deepest condolences to Charlotte and his children. He was a great leader of his household and loved family to the max. I’m sure we’ll see him again in our heavenly home, and I will be praying for all the family during this sad time. God bless you Archie, and we’ll see you in our dreams, memories and pictures. Love you ALWAYS ❤️🩷💕❤️🩷💕💛💚🧡💕💕❤️❤️💕
We are so very sorry for your loss. May your memories bring comfort and pease. Love to the family. God bless you all.