Roy James Barentine—Dad, Brother, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle, and friend—was born February 4, 1942, in Silver City, NM, and passed away peacefully at home in Gila, NM, on July 31, 2025, at the age of 83.
Roy and Judie each had one living sibling. Though he wanted two children and Judie wanted four, the Lord blessed them with eight. Roy loved each child and grandchild deeply. Family photo albums show him most often on the floor playing with kids or out with his horses, cattle, dogs, or cats.
Roy started school at age 5, walking over two miles each way to 6th Street School from Little Walnut Road. His only career goal was to be a cowboy—and he succeeded. As a boy in Silver City, he worked hard: delivering milk and newspapers, selling soil and manure, and working his first ranch job with Bill and Pauline McMillen. His lifetime love of ranching began there.
Although he lived in Grants for a semester during high school, Roy played baseball and football through high school and graduated from Western High in Silver City in 1959. That June, he married Judie Shelley in the same home where he would later pass away. Though given money for a finer honeymoon, they chose a modest cabin in Alpine, AZ, watched High Noon in Springerville, and soon returned home.
He briefly worked for the phone and electric companies—losing both jobs for being underage—and moved with Judie between apartments in Silver City. Their first child, Jim, was born in 1960. A rattlesnake incident in the Cliff Confectionary sent the young family back to Silver City temporarily. They later moved to Las Cruces, where Roy worked for Holsum Bakery and delivered bread while their next two daughters, Debbie and Joyce, were born.
Back in Cliff, and later at the farmhouse in Gila, Roy worked for Kennecott Copper, then sold Archway Cookies from a warehouse in Old Mesilla during a mine strike. Their daughter Cathy was born in Las Cruces in 1968. After Roy's father died in 1969, the family returned to Silver City, then to the farm in Gila in 1970, where Toni was born.
They later moved to the ranch at Mogollon Creek, Roy's favorite place. He commuted one-and-a-half hours each way to Hurley to work and rarely missed a day. He cherished life at the ranch—riding with his blue collie Sarge, raising livestock, and enjoying simple family time together.
Tip and Todd were born in 1976—"our spirits of '76," Roy said—and Michelle followed in 1979 after they moved to Mangus Springs and built a new home with family. Roy continually juggled ranching and work at Kennecott, always working hard to support his large family. He became a grandpa at 39 and loved every grandchild fiercely. He joked with a great-grandson to "hurry home from his mission" so he could meet a great-great- grandchild.
Roy was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997, later ordained an Elder and sealed to his family in the Mesa Arizona Temple in 2001. His favorite church callings included Sunday School President and Financial Clerk.
He returned to the Gila farmhouse—his favorite home—and drove a school bus for years, calling the children "his kids." For his route, he once even dressed as a clown for Halloween. Also after retiring, he hauled gravel and installed septic systems with lifelong friend Tip Ward. He rarely missed his children's or grandchildren's performances and always requested "Paint It Black" from the twins at their dances.
Roy lived fully, loved fiercely, and worked tirelessly. His big heart, warm laughter, and steadfast love will be missed more than words can say.
He is survived by his wife, Judith "Judie" (Shelley) Barentine; his three sons, Jim Barentine (Polly) of Las Cruces, NM, Tip Barentine (Delilah) of Silver City, NM and Todd Barentine (Tonetta) of Deming, NM; his five daughters, Debbie Sullivan (Doyle) of Buckhorn, NM, Joyce Nielsen (Larry) of Alamogordo, NM, Cathy Palmer (Ben) of Las Cruces, NM, Toni Barentine of Alamogordo, NM, and Michelle Barentine of Gila, NM; his sister Del Barentine of Apache Junction, AZ; his thirty-nine grandchildren; his forty-six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Annabelle (Parnell) Barentine; his brother, Chester Joseph Barentine; his granddaughter, Megan Buckner.
Visitations will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 10:00am-11:00am at Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Gila, NM, with the Funeral Service commencing at 11:00am with Bishop Lester Ivins officiating. He will be laid to rest at Cliff Gila Mesa Cemetery. Pallbearers are Michael Barentine, Pete Hobbs, Garrett Palmer, Tyler Sherman, Orien Barentine, Adison Paddie, Ben Hobbs, Aubrey Palmer. Honorary Pallbearers are Gavin Sullivan, Doug Nielsen, William Chance Sherman, Wesley Manning, Pace Barentine, Tristen McBurney, Joseph McBurney, Landon McBurney, Jake Hobbs.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
