Edward Leaman Barry Jr.

Edward Leaman Barry Jr. (2/18/1933 – 6/3/2023)

Born in Boston, MA 2-18-1933 to Edward & Helen Barry

Survived by his wife Barbara Cecilia Vonderhaar; 5 children, Michael (Mariann) Barry, Timothy (Karen) Barry, Cynthia (Meryl) Dohrmann, Jeff (Kimberlee DeSiervi) Barry and Kathy (Tom) Prokey; 13 grandchildren, Melissa Barry, Chelsea Mayton, Matthew Barry, Alyx Hegeman, Cortney Schulze, Dani Barry, Cayla Tsicouris, Ande Barry, Mark Barry, Karlie Barry, Austin Barry, Ashley Prokey & Mitchell Prokey; 7 great grandchildren, Colton Schulze, Wyatt Schulze, Kelly Schulze, Alivia Tsicouris, Emily Tsicouris, James Barry, Asher Barry; And by his 3 sisters, Helene Dixon, Joanne Thill, and Peggy Mahurin.

Ed entered UCLA at the age of 16 and received his B.S. degree in Business Administration.  He lettered all four years on the Varsity Crew Team rowing as a bowman (eight oared shells). He was also the freshman crew coach during his senior year.  Ed later received his M.B.A from California Lutheran University.

After graduating from UCLA, Ed served in the Air Force and was stationed in Nebraska, England and Greenland with many hours flying both the T-33 Shooting Star and KC-97 Stratotanker. Ed loved to share his experiences in Thule, Greenland as well as what missions were like during the Cold War. Upon leaving the Air Force, Ed continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves as a liaison, recruiting high School students for the Air Force Academy. 

While in Nebraska he met Barbara. They were married in Beatrice, NE 1958. They became Thousand Oaks pioneers when they established their residence here in 1960.  Ed and Barbara were parishioners of St. Paschal Baylon Church from the beginning when masses were originally celebrated in a barn.

Ed’s career in Management began with 25 years in the Aerospace industry (Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation/Space Technology Laboratories/Bunker Ramo). He then became manager of a law firm in Los Angeles (Spray, Gould & Bowers) and law firms in Oxnard and Ventura before retiring. After retirement, Ed served as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for 11 years.

Throughout his life, Ed enjoyed his time at the beach, especially boogie boarding.  But his greatest joys were his time associated with his faith, family, and friends. Ed is taking boatloads of Love with him as summarized by The Beatles lyrics “The love you take is equal to the love you make.”

    ...Family in the care of Alison Balding, Funeral Arranger