Byron "Barney" Tolbert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Byron Lee “Barney” Tolbert, 97, Mitchell, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Johnson Christian Village in Bedford.

Born February 21, 1921, at home in Orange County, he was the son of Edward L. and Stella N. (Pruett) Tolbert.  He married Lou Alma Reynolds June 11, 1942, and she preceded him in death October 17, 2001.

Byron worked with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) for a year fighting fires, planting trees, working with natural resources and driving an ambulance to pick up wounded soldiers at Union Station in Indianapolis and take them to/from Fort Harrison.  He joined the Army in August 1942, during World War II where he spent time in Missouri, Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Guinea, and the Philippines as part of the Allied Forces fight against Japan. Byron was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart Medal.  He was honorably discharged in February 1946.  He was unable to work for approximately one year due to his injuries. After that he worked for various companies including Crawford Morris in Mitchell, Hancock Construction in Mitchell, and retired from Rogers Group in Bedford where he worked 23 years. He was a graduate of Campbellsburg High School, Class of 1938, and a member of Saltillo Christian Church.

He loved spending time with his family, being outside, and staying active by taking care of the yard (until he was 94.) Barney was known for his great sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Surviving: daughter, Linda L. (Rick) Chapman of Mitchell; son, Tom E. (Carol) Tolbert of Morgantown; 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sister, Mildred Jackson of Saltillo.

His parents; wife, son, Terry L. Tolbert; daughter, Nancy Crawford; and siblings, Wayne Tolbert, Scott Tolbert, Willis Tolbert, and Imogene Hall, preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Reverend Dwight Dunbar officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. until the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com

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