Howard W Barfield

Howard William Barfield, 72 years of age, of Bertrand Nebraska passed away early Friday, May 11 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska after suffering a major heart attack April 30. Howard was born May 4, 1940 in the heart of South Carolina, the eldest son of William Barfield and his lovely wife.

Howard attended school in the suburbs of Columbia South Carolina, but really and truly received most of his education in the swamps of the Palmetto state, graduating 'with honors' in hunting and fishing. Howard moved around a lot as a young man and worked just about every job a minimally educated young man could work – anything to put food on the table and a little change in his pocket. In the mid 1970's Howard eventually found his way to Hanston, Kansas, where he raised a family and made a living until moving to Bertrand Nebraska in the late 90's.

Howard married Ginger Granger of Hanston Kansas in 1977 and the first of their three sons, Michael Dwayne Barfield, was born in May of 1978. A set of twins, Jayson Edward Barfield and Justin William Barfield were born in July of the following year. Howard drove semi-truck and worked for area farmers around Hanston and Burdett, Kansas before going to work for Pawnee Valley Feeders of Hanston for more than ten years in the 1980's. Howard loved to hunt and fish and watch Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, and the rest of the boys of NASCAR run every Sunday. He instilled in his boys an intense work ethic and love for the outdoors, teaching them his passions of hunting and fishing Kansas' farm fields and rivers. In 1996, Howard moved to the Bertrand, Nebraska area where he lived until his final days enjoying the cooler Nebraska weather and retirement. Howard quit smoking in 2004 after nearly 40 years of smoking more than a pack and a half a day, something he and his family was very proud of.

Howard is survived by his three sons: Michael, Jayson, and Justin and their wives; an ex-wife Ginger; six grandchildren: Dalton, Cadence, Trace, Saralyn, Kimber, and coming in July, Skylar. Howard is also survived by long-time friend, Beverley Fuqua who he helped take care of him in his later years and who, no doubt, made dad a better man. She helped him find peace in the end. Howard was married once before and believed to have had three boys from that marriage as well.

May God have mercy on your soul and may you rest in peace. I love you, Dad.

There will be no services or visitation. The family has chosen cremation.

A memorial has been established and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.