Edward Murray Barrus
October 21, 1923 – October 1, 2015
Edward Murray Barrus of Blackfoot and Idaho Falls passed away on October 1, 2015 twenty days shy of his 92nd birthday.
Ed was born on the family farm in Groveland on October 21, 1923, the first child
of Murray Davis and Margaret Rawlins Barrus.
Two younger sisters, Elaine and Arveen, joined this union a few short years later.
When Ed was only five years old, his mother passed away and the three young children moved into their grandmothers house where they would continue to be raised.
Ed attended school at Groveland Elementary until the eighth grade, then continued to Blackfoot High School where he especially enjoyed the FFA program and the dances.
With the arrival of World War II, however, Ed had a difficult time concentrating on school work, so he coaxed his father into signing a permission slip to join the navy.
The U.S.S. Neshanic became his home for the next four years where he worked as a machinist mate first class.
After the war, Ed returned to Blackfoot to help on the farm and work at Bingham COOP as a mechanic.
Two of his fellow employees, Arvel and Dick Draper, later introduced him to their sister, Norma.
Eddie and Norma were married three months later in the Salt Lake City temple, on February 14, 1947.
The couple purchased a farm in Groveland where they raised hay, grain, potatoes, a small herd of dairy cows – and kids. Four children, Roger, Wendy, Tracy and Sally were their best crop.
As their children grew and left home, Eddie and Norma sold the farm and moved to another Groveland location while Ed worked as the disaster services director for Bingham County and Norma drove their school bus.
They also cared for Normas mother, Mary Lim who lived with the family for
sixteen years.
With Normas untimely passing in 1984, Ed made another transition in his life.
He began attending singles dances in Idaho Falls where he met Yvonne Barrus.
He thought it was especially great that she had the same last name.
The two married in 1985 and Ed enjoyed adding her and her four children to their home they built in Idaho Falls.
They enjoyed serving in many church callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
They served a mission in Florida and were temple workers in the Idaho Falls temple.
Ed and Yvonne were able to enjoy their home and friends in Idaho Falls for the next 30 years.
Ed is survived by his wife, Yvonne, children: Roger (Laurel) Barrus of Centerville, UT, Wendy Gardner of Blackfoot, Tracy R. (Janet) Barrus of Star, ID, and Sally (Garth) Lunceford of Pocatello, ID; step children, Clair (Helen) Barrus of Draper, UT, Yvette (Wade) Zoebel, Highland, UT, and Sheila (Geoff) Green, of Cheyenne WY.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine and Arveen; his wife, Norma; son-in-law, Chris Gardner and step daughter, Tracy Ann Barrus.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2015 at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling, Ave. in Blackfoot.
The family will meet with friends and relatives one hour prior to the services.
Interment will follow at the Groveland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the LDS Missionary Fund.
Condolences may be made online at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com