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Barry Bates Brigham, age 91, of Wauseon, Ohio, entered Heaven on October 28, 2023 with his three daughters and family by his side.
Barry was born on July 3, 1932, in Wauseon, to Walter P. and Clarice A. (Bates) Brigham. He attended school in Wauseon and graduated in 1950.
In 1951, Barry entered the United States Navy and fulfilled his term in 1955 as a Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Petty Officer with the Gunnery Department. He thoroughly enjoyed his Navy days and talked of his experiences often.
After the Navy, Barry worked a few jobs and went to Bowling Green State University for architectural drawing and drafting. In 1960, Barry met a man named Mack McGara at a church event.
Mack looked at some of his drawings and hired him on the spot at Sheller-Globe/Sheridan. Barry spent his entire adult career at Sheridan, retiring in 1994 after a 35 year stay.
In 1961, he met Mary Ann James on a blind date, and they married three months later in June of 1961. Barry and Ann were married for 45 years before she preceded him in death on November 22, 2006.
Barry and Ann and their daughters vacationed several times a year at his parents’ home on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Curtis.
Eventually that property became his and Ann’s permanent home in 2005. Barry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking, which he was very skilled at.
He made several beautiful furniture pieces for his wife. Fall Saturdays would find him cheering on The Ohio State University Buckeyes. He was a Free Mason at the Wauseon Masonic Lodge No. 349.
Barry is survived by his children, Tammy (Larry) Kleinsmith, Kelly (Granger) Lambert, Jennifer (Jeff) Wolford, and Shane (Donna) Quintana. He was blessed with nine grandchildren, Danielle, Kristen, Jared, Jaccob, Jorrdyn, Jerremiah, Kelsey, Paige, and Megan; and 11 great-grandchildren. Barry is also survived by his brother, Bill (Laverne) Brigham, sister-in-law, Debra (Jessie) Martinez; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Ohio Living Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during Barry’s transition to Heaven.
Visitation for Barry will take place on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon from 2pm to 7pm. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the funeral home at 11am, with Pastor Matthew Voyer officiating. Burial will follow at the Wauseon Union Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Fulton County Honor Guard. A luncheon will be provided following the services at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Delta.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Ohio Living Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. The Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home of Wauseon is honored to serve the Brigham family.
The obituary for Barry was lovingly prepared by his family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barry Bates Brigham, please visit our floral store.
